European Commission

The European Commission upholds the general interest of the European Union and is the driving force in the EU's institutional system. Its four main roles are to propose legislation to Parliament and the Council, to administer and implement Community policies, to enforce Community law (jointly with the Court of Justice) and to negotiate international agreements, mainly those relating to trade and cooperation.

Italy proposes successor to Frattini as EU Commissioner — 08 May 2008, 23:35 CET

Italy's new government on Thursday proposed Antonio Tajani, from Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia party, to replace Franco Frattini at the European Commission, a statement said.

EU to boost aid to Myanmar if easier access allowed — 08 May 2008, 20:24 CET

The European Commission could release up to 30 million euros (46 million dollars) or more in aid for Myanmar if authorities give greater access to relief teams, a senior EU official said Thursday.

Top envoy urges EU to quickly sign key pact with Bosnia — 07 May 2008, 18:02 CET

The top international envoy in Bosnia urged EU nations Wednesday to quickly sign a key pact on closer ties with Sarajevo before further delays dampen pro-European attitudes and undermine stability.

EU says deficit action against Italy, Portugal should be dropped — 07 May 2008, 19:27 CET

The European Commission said on Wednesday that disciplinary deficit action should be lifted against Italy, Portugal, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, judging they have sufficiently improved their finances.

Bosnia's limited police reform enough to open EU door: officials — 06 May 2008, 17:16 CET

Bosnia's long-awaited police reform will do little to improve the way the force operates yet the European Union considers it good enough to help seal a key pact on closer ties, EU and local officials say.

EU concerned over political stability in Turkey, calls for reform — 06 May 2008, 23:32 CET

The European Union said Tuesday that a legal bid to ban Turkey's ruling party threatened the country's political stability and urged Ankara to accelerate its reform drive to overcome domestic tensions and ease its entry into the EU.

EU calls for international monitoring of Zimbabwe vote — 02 May 2008, 19:38 CET

The European Union on Friday called for international observers to monitor the second round of Zimbabwe's presidential election to ensure it is "fair" and "free".

EU to recommend tougher tax fraud rules — 30 April 2008, 22:43 CET

The European Commission is to recommend tightening EU rules against tax dodgers who stash their cash in offshore accounts, a senior official said.

Turkish free speech reform 'step forward': EU — 30 April 2008, 22:39 CET

The European Union welcomed on Wednesday a decision by the Turkish parliament to soften rules on the freedom of expression as a "step forward."

EU's Barroso extends Italian commissioner's leave — 28 April 2008, 21:57 CET

European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso is extending a leave of absence for vice president Franco Frattini, the EU executive said Monday.

EU to take legal action against Britain over deficit — 28 April 2008, 21:58 CET

EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Monday he would launch legal action against Britain after forecasting that its public deficit would break EU rules in 2008.

EU eyes early warning on French finances — 28 April 2008, 15:59 CET

France may need an early warning about its public finances, the European Commission warned on Monday, predicting that the French deficit was slipping dangerously towards an EU limit.

EU ratchets up inflation forecast to 3.2 pct — 29 April 2008, 20:27 CET

The Commission has hiked its 2008 eurozone inflation forecast to 3.2 per cent in the face of record oil and food prices but predicted that growth would suffer only slightly.

China, EU agree on need to balance trade — 25 April 2008, 12:34 CET

European Commission President Manuel Jose Barroso said he agreed in talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Friday on the need to balance trade, an apparent reference to China's huge trade surplus.

EU calls on Israel to ensure fuel supplies to Gaza — 24 April 2008, 13:54 CET

EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel on Thursday urged Israel to ensure fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip, amid UN warnings that aid to Palestinian refugees there will end otherwise.

Italy set to lose coveted EU justice portfolio in reshuffle — 22 April 2008, 23:05 CET

Italy will lose the coveted justice slot at the European Commission if Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini resigns to join the new Italian government, the EU's executive arm said in a statement on Tuesday.

EU commissioner Verheugen says he will step down in 2009 — 22 April 2008, 14:30 CET

European Commissioner Guenter Verheugen plans to retire in late 2009 to concentrate on "writing and teaching," he said in an interview with a German magazine released on Tuesday.

EU trade chief urges Japan to open up to investment — 21 April 2008, 19:29 CET

European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson on Monday urged Japan to open up to foreign investment, saying it was the most closed of the developed economies.

EU Commissioner warns Greece on illegal landfills — 21 April 2008, 13:20 CET

Time is running out for Greece to close hundreds of illegal landfills as ordered by the European Court of Justice, the EU environment commissioner said in an interview.

2008 'last chance' for WTO deal: EU trade chief — 18 April 2008, 14:06 CET

This year represents the last chance to sort out a global trade liberalisation deal and it would be "verging on the criminal" to fail, the European Union's trade chief insisted Friday.

EU to tighten net on illegal fishing: commissioner — 17 April 2008, 21:45 CET

The European Union is to step up measures against illegal fishing "from net to plate," EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg said on Thursday.

More delay in Zimbabwe vote results 'unacceptable' : EU — 17 April 2008, 16:19 CET

The European Commission on Thursday called for the immediate publication of Zimbabwe's presidential election results, saying further delay would be "unacceptable."

EU trade chief warns against food export bans — 17 April 2008, 15:25 CET

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson warns against restrictions on food exports in the face of soaring prices, arguing that they could trigger a "spiral of protectionism."

EU chief warns Ireland no plan B, ahead of crunch poll — 17 April 2008, 17:51 CET

European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso warned Ireland on Thursday that the European Union has no plan B if Irish voters reject its controversial new treaty in a crunch upcoming referendum.

Human rights part of GCC-EU accord: Ferrero-Waldner — 16 April 2008, 22:54 CET

External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said on Wednesday the question of human rights was one of the points in a free trade agreement being negotiated with Gulf Arab states.