Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has met with a delegation from the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, which aims to restore Syria’s membership in the Arab League after more than a decade of suspension from the 22-member bloc.

The European Commission rejects to offer any promises of Ukraine's fast accession to the European Union.

Russia says Iran will sign SCO’s obligations document during the bloc’s summit next week.

Iran's full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a transcontinental political, economic, and security alliance, is expected to be finalized by next year.

NATO on Wednesday formally invited Sweden and Finland to join the US-led military alliance, in a historic expansion of the 30-member bloc, triggering strong reaction from Russia that called it “a purely destabilizing factor.”

Ukraine is set to become an official candidate for European Union (EU) membership, the first step on the long road to joining the 27-country bloc, despite Russia's strict opposition to the move.

An overwhelming majority of Danes have voted in favor of joining the EU’s common defense policy, as Russia’s offensive against Ukraine continues to reshape Europe’s security landscape.

France’s secretary of state for European affairs says Ukraine’s bid to join the EU would take at least 15 to 20 years to be finalized.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has voiced the bloc's readiness to defend Finland and Sweden in the event of a Russian attack even before the two countries become NATO members.

Here are Press TV's latest top stories at 1000 GMT, April 20, 2022.