German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said that he hopes new chapters will open in Turkey's bid for membership in the European Union, Today's Zaman reported March 21.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso will listen to Russia's concerns regarding the Eurogroup's handling of Cyprus' bailout, Barroso said, Voice of Russia and Interfax reported March 21.

Cyprus and Russia are discussing cooperation in the banking and energy sectors in addition to a loan from Moscow, Cypriot Finance Minister Michalis Sarris said March 21, Reuters reported.

Cyprus and Russia did not reach a decision on a loan from Moscow during talks March 20, Cypriot Finance Minister Michael Sarris said, Reuters reported.

Militants in Mali have executed a French hostage in retaliation for France's military intervention in the country, a man who said he is a spokesman for al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb told the Nouakchott Information Agency, France 24 reported March 20.

Cypriot lawmakers March 19 overwhelmingly rejected an EU bailout proposal that would have required a tax on deposits in the country's banks, AFP reported.

Cypriot Finance Minister Michalis Sarris traveled to Moscow on March 19, AFP reported.

A video surfaced March 18 showing a man who appeared to be a French hostage held by Islamic militants with six other family members kidnapped on Feb. 19 in northern Cameroon, AP reported.