The European Union warned Afghan President Hamid Karzai Monday that international cooperation with his insurgency-hit country hinges on good governance and his willingness to battle corruption.

Calls mounted Monday for a woman to be appointed to one of the European Union's new top jobs, as the EU presidency struggles to find consensus candidates days before a key summit.

Calls mounted Monday for a woman to be appointed to one of the European Union's new top jobs, with the race wide open just days ahead of a key summit meant to resolve the problem.

Calls mounted Monday for a woman to be appointed to one of the European Union's new top jobs, with the race wide open just days ahead of a key summit meant to resolve the problem.

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - The European Union and Russia hope to lay the foundations of a new economic and political partnership at a summit on Wednesday despite differences over energy, trade, human rights and climate change.

EU won't support the Palestinian plan for seeking recognition as an independent state. The European Union rejected requests Tuesday that it support a Palestinian plan for gaining recognition as an independent state at the U.N. Security Council without Israeli consent.

The European Union on Tuesday joined the US in discouraging Palestinian intentions to seek international recognition of an independent state, urging instead a return to stalled peace talks with Israel.

The European Union's Swedish presidency said Tuesday that it was 'premature' to recognise a Palestinian state, even as its leaders prepare to seek such recognition at the UN Security Council.

The European Union on Tuesday joined the US in discouraging Palestinian intentions to seek international recognition of an independent state, urging instead a return to stalled peace talks with Israel.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said EU foreign ministers would discuss support for the Palestinians at a meeting on Tuesday but that it was premature to discuss recognizing a Palestinian state.

The European Union on Tuesday joined the US in discouraging Palestinian intentions to seek international recognition of an independent state, urging instead a return to stalled peace talks with Israel.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said on Tuesday the impasse in the Middle East peace process left him no choice but to seek international recognition, even as Europe and Washington discouraged the move.

Israel approved the construction of hundreds of new housing units in annexed east Jerusalem on Tuesday, driving another stake into troubled US efforts to restart Middle East peace talks.

Israel approved the construction of hundreds of new housing units in annexed Arab east Jerusalem on Tuesday, driving another stake into troubled US efforts to restart Middle East peace talks.

Israel gave approval on Tuesday for the construction of hundreds of new housing units in annexed Arab east Jerusalem, drawing Western criticism as it drove another stake into troubled Middle East peace efforts.

Israel gave approval on Tuesday for the construction of hundreds of new housing units in annexed Arab east Jerusalem, drawing Western criticism as it drove another stake into troubled Middle East peace efforts.

Israel gave approval on Tuesday for the construction of hundreds of new housing units in annexed Arab east Jerusalem, drawing Western criticism as it drove another stake into troubled Middle East peace efforts.

The United States delivered an unusually strong rebuke of Israel, voicing dismay at the approval of new Jewish housing in annexed east Jerusalem as peace efforts hit a new low.

EU and Russian leaders meet at a summit in Stockholm on Wednesday set to be dominated by energy issues, as Europe hopes to avoid an interruption of Russian natural gas supplies via Ukraine this winter.

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Russia set a new target for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions at a summit with the European Union on Wednesday but failed to clear up confusion over its plans to join the World Trade Organization.