European Council

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

New Irish foreign minister urges yes vote for EU treaty — 09 May 2008, 19:11 CET

Ireland's new Foreign Minister Micheal Martin urged the country on Friday to vote "yes" to the European Union's key Lisbon Treaty in a crunch referendum next month.

EU foreign ministers to fly to Georgia to cool Russia crisis: officials — 09 May 2008, 19:09 CET

Five European Union foreign ministers will travel to Georgia next week to try to help to cool tensions with Russia over the separatist region of Abkhazia, Slovenia said Friday.

EU will talk with whoever wins Serbian elections: Slovenian FM — 09 May 2008, 17:44 CET

The European Union wants Serbia to become a member and is ready to discuss its accession even if anti-EU nationalists win Sunday elections, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel said Friday.

Slovenia confirms EU mission to Georgia — 09 May 2008, 14:51 CET

Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, whose country holds the EU presidency, confirmed Friday that an EU mission would travel to Georgia next week to cool tensions over Abkhazia.

Lithuania and Poland join forces on EU-Russia negotiations — 08 May 2008, 19:28 CET

Lithuania and Poland have agreed to coordinate their strategies on whether to agree further European talks on an EU-Russia partnership pact, Lithuania's government information bureau said Thursday.

EU ministers to visit Georgia to ease tensions with Moscow — 08 May 2008, 19:28 CET

The foreign ministers of Slovenia, Sweden Poland and Lithuania plan to visit Georgia on Monday in an effort to try to cool tensions between Tbilisi and Moscow.

Lithuania, Latvia ratify EU's Lisbon treaty — 08 May 2008, 13:25 CET

The former Soviet states of Lithuania and Latvia on Thursday ratified the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, which aims to reforming decision making in the 27-nation bloc.

Free speech reform comes into force in Turkey — 08 May 2008, 10:10 CET

A long-awaited law aimed at expanding freedom of speech came into force in Turkey on Thursday after presidential approval.

Serbia's fragile economy at stake in weekend polls — 08 May 2008, 10:11 CET

Serbia's fragile economy could pay the price if nationalists win Sunday's general elections, depriving it of the benefits of European Union rapprochement, analysts warn.

France pledges not to snag Turkey's EU accession talks — 06 May 2008, 23:38 CET

A senior French official pledged Tuesday that his country would not seek to block Turkey's European Union accession talks when it takes over the bloc's presidency in July.

Berlusconi begins term under a critical eye from Brussels — 06 May 2008, 23:47 CET

Whether Naples rubbish, ailing Alitalia's fate or the public finances, Italy and the European Commission have no shortage of sore points likely to ensure rocky relations between Brussels and the incoming government.

Europe woos Serbia with free visas ahead of key election — 06 May 2008, 17:27 CET

Seventeen European states have stepped up efforts to give a new boost to Serbia's pro-EU parties ahead of elections this week by making visas free for visitors from the Balkan state.

France seeks to avert eurozone tensions with Germany — 06 May 2008, 17:34 CET

France is aiming to avoid conflict with Germany by keeping a low profile on the prickly issues of the euro's strength and the ECB as its presidency of the European Union approaches, French sources say.

Luxembourg PM early favourite for EU president — 05 May 2008, 20:56 CET

Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker is emerging as a early favourite to become the European Union's first president, according to a source close to the French presidency.

EU eyes pollution tolls for truckers — 06 May 2008, 17:24 CET

Europe's truckers would have to pay for the pollution, traffic jams and noise they cause if the European Commission gets its way.

Summit calls for EU membership for all Western Balkan states — 03 May 2008, 22:01 CET

EU integration is the only "viable political alternative" for the Western Balkans, a two-day summit of leaders from across central, eastern and southern Europe concluded on Saturday.

London's High Court to review Lisbon Treaty referendum U-turn — 03 May 2008, 22:00 CET

A London High Court judge will review the Westminster government's decision to greenlight the European Union's Lisbon Treaty without a referendum.

Germany's Merkel gets annual EU prize with French praise — 01 May 2008, 18:28 CET

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel received an annual EU prize on Thursday for helping unite Europe, as France's Nicolas Sarkozy praised her, easing frosty Franco-German relations.

EU set to sign key pact with Bosnia next month — 29 April 2008, 22:18 CET

EU foreign ministers on Tuesday agreed to sign a key trade and aid pact with Bosnia next month, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel announced.

EU extends Myanmar sanctions for another year — 29 April 2008, 22:19 CET

The European Union on Tuesday extended its sanctions against the regime in Myanmar for another year, adding that the measures could be increased.

EU, Serbia ink deal on closer ties — 29 April 2008, 20:17 CET

The European Union signed up to closer ties with Serbia on Tuesday, moving it closer to EU membership despite disputes over Kosovo's independence and Belgrade's failure to catch war criminals.

Lithuania blocks EU deal on talks with Russia — 29 April 2008, 20:26 CET

European nations failed Tuesday to convince Lithuania to allow the European Union to launch talks on a new partnership pact with Russia.

New Serb parliament to 'annul' EU pact: Kostunica — 29 April 2008, 20:26 CET

Nationalist Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said Tuesday that Serbia's parliament would "annul" a pact on closer ties with the European Union after elections next month.

EU prolongs easing of sanctions against Uzbekistan — 29 April 2008, 14:48 CET

EU foreign ministers agreed Tuesday to suspend sanctions against Uzbekistan for a further six months, despite criticisms from human rights groups.

EU calls for global arms embargo against Zimbabwe — 30 April 2008, 12:07 CET

The EU has called for a global arms embargo against Zimbabwe in line with an EU ban on weapons and equipment which could be used to crack down on political dissent.