FRANCE blazed a diplomatic trail as it recognised a newly formed Libyan opposition group, drawing the ire of other European nations for stepping out on its own even as the situation in Libya remained unclear.

SERBIA took a crucial step forward in its bid to join the European Union yesterday, when EU foreign ministers agreed to examine Belgrade’s candidacy, in reward for softening its stance on Kosovo.

European Union officials today signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and South Korea.