This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6914857.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Libya and EU seek improved ties Libya and EU seek improved ties
(about 3 hours later)
Libya and the EU have said their ties will improve following the release of six Bulgarian medical workers.Libya and the EU have said their ties will improve following the release of six Bulgarian medical workers.
The six had been imprisoned for deliberately infecting children with HIV and are now celebrating their freedom in Bulgaria.The six had been imprisoned for deliberately infecting children with HIV and are now celebrating their freedom in Bulgaria.
They were released on Tuesday following years of negotiation.They were released on Tuesday following years of negotiation.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is to meet Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in Tripoli, where he is expected to sign agreements on bilateral co-operation.French President Nicolas Sarkozy is to meet Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in Tripoli, where he is expected to sign agreements on bilateral co-operation.
The five nurses and a Palestinian-born doctor, who served eight years of the life sentences they received, had always maintained they were innocent.The five nurses and a Palestinian-born doctor, who served eight years of the life sentences they received, had always maintained they were innocent.
All six were pardoned on their arrival in Sofia by Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov.All six were pardoned on their arrival in Sofia by Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov.
'New page''New page'
Europe and the United States had made it clear to Libya that resolving their situation was the key to improving ties.Europe and the United States had made it clear to Libya that resolving their situation was the key to improving ties.
There are reports that Mr Sarkozy could sign agreements on security, immigration, energy and scientific research.There are reports that Mr Sarkozy could sign agreements on security, immigration, energy and scientific research.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6913658.stm">Joy as nurses return href="/1/hi/world/africa/6896231.stm">Profiles: The medics class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6971&edition=1">Send us your comments HAVE YOUR SAY Gaddafi has used these poor innocent medics as bargaining chips to get something out of the EU... And he succeeded. Marc Saurel, Montreal, Canada href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/profile.jspa?userID=2388406&edition=2&ttl=20070725094804">Have your say: Libya medics
Mr Sarkozy wants to further Libyan help in the fight against terrorism, says the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris.Mr Sarkozy wants to further Libyan help in the fight against terrorism, says the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris.
And he wants more support in to stem the flow of illegal immigrants crossing into southern Europe from North Africa.And he wants more support in to stem the flow of illegal immigrants crossing into southern Europe from North Africa.
The six medics were flown from Tripoli to Sofia early on Tuesday at the end of a three-day trip to Libya by Mr Sarkozy's wife Cecilia and the EU's External Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner.The six medics were flown from Tripoli to Sofia early on Tuesday at the end of a three-day trip to Libya by Mr Sarkozy's wife Cecilia and the EU's External Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner.
Ms Ferrero-Waldner said it marked "a new page in the history of relations between the EU and Libya".Ms Ferrero-Waldner said it marked "a new page in the history of relations between the EU and Libya".
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the EU could now begin to normalise trade and political ties with Libya.European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the EU could now begin to normalise trade and political ties with Libya.
Compensation confusionCompensation confusion
Mr Sarkozy and the EU denied making any financial payment to secure the medics' release.Mr Sarkozy and the EU denied making any financial payment to secure the medics' release.
However, the families of the 438 infected children reportedly agreed last week to a compensation deal worth $1m (£500,000) per child, channelled through the Gaddafi Foundation, a charity run by Seif al-Islam, the Libyan leader's son.However, the families of the 438 infected children reportedly agreed last week to a compensation deal worth $1m (£500,000) per child, channelled through the Gaddafi Foundation, a charity run by Seif al-Islam, the Libyan leader's son.
Libya's foreign minister said both the EU and France had contributed to the fund, AFP reported.Libya's foreign minister said both the EU and France had contributed to the fund, AFP reported.
The medics were convicted of deliberately injecting the 438 children with HIV-tainted blood. Fifty-six of the children have since died.The medics were convicted of deliberately injecting the 438 children with HIV-tainted blood. Fifty-six of the children have since died.
The six, who had been in prison since 1999, say they were tortured to confess.The six, who had been in prison since 1999, say they were tortured to confess.
Foreign experts say the infections started before the medics arrived at the hospital, and are more likely to have been a result of poor hygiene.Foreign experts say the infections started before the medics arrived at the hospital, and are more likely to have been a result of poor hygiene.