The European Parliament has officially welcomed a delegation of Christian leaders from Iraq and Lebanon at its last plenary session of the year.

Forest communities in poor countries ravaged by the effects of illegal logging have won the backing of the European Parliament for tough new legislation on illegal timber imports.

Leaders of three large Free Churches in Britain have issued a statement encouraging the voting public in Britain to use the upcoming European elections to back major change on global finance, climate and international poverty.

The president of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, says that in parts of Europe, such as the western Balkans, where internecine "wounds still require healing", spiritual leaders need to be involved in the process.