Some 60,000 have sought asylum in Western Europe since the E.U. instituted visa-free travel from Balkan nations.

So-called 'eurocrats' walked off the job and gathered at the organization's headquarters to stave off austerity measures; up to half the staff declined to take part.

Europe's economy is still reeling and unemployment could remain high.

Unemployment in the 17-country eurozone hit 11.6 percent in September, official figures showed Wednesday.

France, the land of wine, is planning heavy taxes on beer, and that is not going down well with brewers — even in other nations.

Will press ahead with sanctions and aim for diplomatic solution.

Ruling coalition made up of the pro-free market VVD party and the center-left Labor Party plans to slash government spending by 2017.

The European Union has overseen the first talks between the leaders of the bitter Balkan rivals.