European Council

The EU Council is the main decision-making body of the European Union.

EU presidency Sweden summons Iranian ambassador — 03 July 2009, 18:14 CET

Sweden, the current holder of the European Union presidency, summoned Iran's ambassador Friday as part of a coordinated EU protest over the detention of British embassy employees in Tehran, the foreign ministry said.

EU nations summon Iranian envoys over embassy detentions — 03 July 2009, 18:11 CET

EU nations summoned Iranian ambassadors Friday in protest at the detention of British embassy employees in Tehran, some of whom could be tried for stoking post-election unrest, according to a cleric.

EU nations withdraw Honduras ambassadors — 03 July 2009, 00:32 CET

All EU countries with embassies in Honduras have withdrawn their ambassadors following the coup last weekend that ousted President Manuel Zelaya, the Swedish EU presidency announced Thursday.

EU 'ready to act' over British embassy detainees in Iran — 02 July 2009, 22:59 CET

The European Union is "ready to take action" if Iran does not free British embassy staff still detained in Tehran, the Swedish EU presidency warned on Thursday.

German court ruling on Lisbon pact not a solution: Klaus — 02 July 2009, 17:11 CET

A decision by Germany's top court to make ratification of the EU's Lisbon Treaty conditional on a new law does not correct the pact's faults, eurosceptic Czech President Vaclav Klaus said on Thursday.

EU nations to withdraw Honduras ambassadors: Spain — 02 July 2009, 17:10 CET

All EU countries with embassies in Honduras have decided to withdraw their ambassadors following the coup last weekend that ousted President Manuel Zelaya, Spain's foreign minister said.

Battle for EU president post commences — 02 July 2009, 10:12 CET

While Jose Manuel Barroso seeks to secure a second term as head of the European Commission, a new battle has broken out for a post that doesn't even exist yet -- that of EU president.

Sweden kicks off EU presidency in institutional fog — 02 July 2009, 00:06 CET

Sweden kicked off its six-month European Union presidency Wednesday amid fears the bloc's unresolved institutional woes may overshadow its priorities of tackling climate change and the economic crisis.

Tensions over Russia-EU summit as Sweden takes helm — 02 July 2009, 00:02 CET

Sweden assumed the EU's rotating presidency Wednesday but already faced problems due to its strained ties with Russia, with Moscow opposing plans to hold a key summit in Stockholm, an official said.

EU nations consider pulling envoys out of Honduras — 01 July 2009, 12:51 CET

EU nations were considering Wednesday whether to pull their ambassadors out of coup-hit Honduras, sources said.

Sweden takes over EU helm with economy and climate in focus — 01 July 2009, 12:46 CET

Sweden took over the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union on Wednesday, vowing to tackle climate change and combat soaring unemployment in Europe following the global economic crisis.

Sweden calls on EU members to rein in spending — 30 June 2009, 23:52 CET

Sweden's EU presidency will urge fellow members to tighten their belts after pumping several billion euros into their economies to offset the effects of the economic crisis, taking the risk of a conflict with the bloc's big spenders.

Spain wants EU envoys recalled from Honduras: Moratinos — 30 June 2009, 17:42 CET

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said Tuesday that Madrid wanted the European Union to recall its ambassadors following a military coup in Honduras.

State of ratification of EU's Lisbon Treaty — 30 June 2009, 17:10 CET

Germany's top court on Tuesday suspended ratification of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, until legislation has been put in place to safeguard national parliamentary powers.

Swedish FM unconcerned by Germany EU court decision — 30 June 2009, 13:27 CET

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said Tuesday he was unconcerned about a decision by Germany's top court to delay ratification of the EU's Lisbon Treaty.

Top German court suspends ratification of EU's Lisbon Treaty — 30 June 2009, 23:57 CET

Germany's top court on Tuesday delayed the ratification of the European Union's Lisbon Treaty but leaders expressed confidence that the landmark reforms would still be adopted soon.

Czech prime minister rejects criticism of EU presidency — 29 June 2009, 23:51 CET

Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer insisted Monday that his country had made a success of its six month EU presidency despite the collapse of one government and its eurosceptic reputation during the term.

EU regrets Honduras coup, calls for respect for democracy — 29 June 2009, 17:23 CET

The European Commission on Monday urged that "the democratically elected institutions" be respected in coup-hit Honduras, and called an urgent meeting with Central American ambassadors to consider the future of trade talks.

Reinfeldt and Bildt: tactician and veteran diplomat at EU helm — 29 June 2009, 16:30 CET

One is a calculating tactician new to the global stage, the other an impulsive veteran passionate about EU expansion: Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and Foreign Minister Carl Bildt are Sweden's tag team for the upcoming EU presidency.

Economic crisis, climate warming top Swedish EU priorities — 29 June 2009, 16:25 CET

The global economic crisis, soaring unemployment in Europe and climate change top Sweden's agenda as it takes over the European Union six-month presidency in difficult conditions on Wednesday.

EU warns after Iran arrests British embassy staff — 29 June 2009, 00:06 CET

The European Union vowed Sunday to meet any harassment of diplomats in Iran with a "strong and collective response" after eight British embassy staff in Tehran were arrested.

EU demands Honduran president's release — 29 June 2009, 00:01 CET

The European Union on Sunday called on the Honduran military to release President Manuel Zelaya and restore constitutional order.

EU foreign ministers doubtful on Russian security proposals — 29 June 2009, 13:48 CET

EU foreign ministers expressed doubts Sunday about Russian proposals for a new security pact, calling for more detail and suggesting that existing organisations be reinforced instead.

EU's Solana hopes Iran nuclear talks will resume soon — 28 June 2009, 13:43 CET

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana expressed hope Sunday that nuclear talks with Iran will resume, despite unrest over a disputed presidential election.

Stormy Czech EU presidency ends without glamour — 28 June 2009, 13:42 CET

The laboured Czech European Union presidency tarnished by the fall of the government midway through the tenure is drawing to a close as the Czechs pass the baton to the Swedes on July 1.