Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a raft of political and military sanctions after French lawmakers adopted a bill criminalising denial of Armenian genocide. Turkey will recall its ambassador from Paris and suspend mutual political visits as well as joint military projects, including joint exercises, said Erdogan.

Estonian diplomat Aivo Orav is the newly appointed Head of the European Union Delegation to Macedonia, Brussels announced. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton appointed Orav on Wednesday.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is to visit Kosovo on December 19. Merkel’s visit was confirmed by Kosovan Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuci. “Merkel is to visit Kosovo on Monday, December 19, to give support to our institutions,” said Kuci.