The EU has sought to calm fears in countries such as Britain, France, and Germany that they face a mass influx of Romanians and Bulgarians following the lifting of restrictions, a change that risks fuelling anti-immigrant sentiment in Europe.

The eurozone economy has passed another bleak milestone with official figures showing unemployment across its 17 countries has hit 12% for the first time since the currency was launched in 1999.

The European Commission plans to set up a €50m gender institute and review all EU gender equality laws as part of a major drive to promote equality of the sexes across the 25-nation bloc, officials said today.