Although not in Africa, many in the diaspora contribute by sending money back to their families. Also many eventually return to Africa, bringing new skills and important contact with the First World.

Whatever the fate of the euro, the prevarication and long arguments over how to help it have damaged the EU in at least four ways...a tardy and muddled response to the euro crisis has greatly tarnished the EU’s soft power and global standing.

The EU’s relations with people in need in the rest of the world are based on the principle of solidarity – and rightly so, because this is the very foundation of our Union. It is not easy to show solidarity and compassion for someone else’s grief in a hard moment, all the more so when you have got problems at home. But when you do so, it leaves a lasting positive impression, and creates a very good image of Europe and Europeans around the world.

The United Nations agency tasked with preserving the world's cultural heritage on Saturday opened the doors of its headquarters in Paris to the public for guided tours of its collection of 600 masterpieces and artistic works.

After months of uncertainty with regard the Greek economy, the May 10 creation of a nearly-$1 trillion emergency funding facility to stabilize the euro gave markets a positive jolt and some reassurance over the short-term future of Greek debt...This recent action is only a temporary solution to the much larger problem of public deficits in Europe, and many long-term concerns remain about the future of the euro and the euro zone.

"More trade, more aid, more people-to-people contacts" was the commission's own take on the achievements of the ENP over the past five years.

Nearly 90 delegates from 20 countries have recently gathered in the northern province of Quang Ninh for an ASEM workshop on enhancing Asia-Europe cultural ties. The meeting was organised by the Vietnamese Government and the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), with support from Italy and Hungary.

Artists, scholars and representatives from the government and NGOs from Asia and Europe convened in Ha Long City, Vietnam, last week to find ways to forge stronger ties through cultural diplomacy.