Brussels - The European Union has approved a revaluation of the Slovak national currency, the koruna, by almost 18 per cent, shortly before EU member states are set to decide on whether or not Slovakia should join the euro next year.

Following a request from the Slovak government, the ministers of the 15 countries which currently use the euro, plus officials from Denmark, the Baltic states and the European Central Bank, agreed to revalue the koruna upwards by 17.65 per cent, a statement from the European Commission said late Wednesday-early Thursday.

The new, strengthened rate of the koruna to the euro, which is allowed to fluctuate by 15 per cent, is 30.126 koruna per euro, the statement said.

Worldwide condemnation followed Myanmar's six-month extension of the house arrest of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with officials from the UN, EU and US expressing frustration and regret.

Berlin  - Chancellor Angela Merkel's government decided Tuesday to pass legislation which will cement a veto by the German state of Lower Saxony over key decisions at the Volkswagen auto company.

Brussels  - Russia should stop contributing to the conflicts in Georgia's breakaway regions and allow international mediators to help bring peace, Georgia's new foreign minister, Eka Tkeshelashvili

Stockholm  -  Finland and Sweden are to study closer cooperation in defence including procurement of defence material, the defence ministers of the Nordic neighbours said Monday.