Enrico Letta, the deputy secretary of Italy's Democratic Party, was appointed as prime minister on April 24 by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, Corriere della Sera reported.

The European Commission on April 22 recommended that negotiations begin with Serbia on accession to the European Union, Reuters reported.

The Serbian government on April 22 approved an EU-brokered deal with Kosovo, FOCUS news agency reported, citing AFP.

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano was re-elected April 20, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Diplomats from 11 countries met in Istanbul on April 20 to discuss the Syrian crisis, Xinhua reported.

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano announced his candidacy for another term as president April 20, AFP reported.

The French family kidnapped by Boko Haram in Cameroon in February has been released and is in the hands of Cameroonian officials, Cameroonian President Paul Biya said April 19, Al Jazeera reported.

The European Commission is set to delay a recommendation due April 16 regarding Serbia's readiness to start EU accession talks, Reuters reported, citing diplomats.