Spain and the EU

Latest business news about Spain and the European Union.

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Spain faces EUR 207 bn headache in 2013 — 31 December 2012, 13:05 CET

Spain defied the markets by averting a sovereign bailout this year but high interest rates could yet force Madrid to its knees as the nation confronts a 207-billion-euro financing headache in 2013.

Spanish satellite operator drops Iran state TV: report — 22 December 2012, 23:31 CET

Spanish satellite operator Hispasat has dropped broadcasts by two of Iranian state broadcaster IRIB's channels because of EU sanctions against its chief, the Mehr news agency reported on Saturday.

Belgrade wants autonomy for Kosovo Serbs: report — 20 December 2012, 21:39 CET

Serbia wants for its Serb minority in breakaway Kosovo a "high degree of autonomy" modelled on Spain's Catalan region, Beta news agency reported on Thursday, quoting a document to be sent to the republic's parliament for debate.

EU clears restructuring of Spanish banks — 20 December 2012, 17:07 CET

The European Commission cleared restructuring plans and aid for four small Spanish banks on Thursday as part of efforts to stabilise the country's stricken banking system and help its economy.

Spain borrowing rates fall in bond auction — 13 December 2012, 16:39 CET

Spain's borrowing costs fell in a bond auction Thursday, hours after European Union leaders reached an elusive deal to create a single banking authority.

Top EU legal officer rejects Spain, Italy single patent case — 11 December 2012, 17:24 CET

Efforts by Spain and Italy to prevent adoption of a single EU patent system by their EU partners should be dismissed, the chief legal officer of the European Court of Justice recommended Tuesday.

Argentina files trade complaints against US, EU — 06 December 2012, 11:08 CET

Argentina has filed complaints with the World Trade Organization charging the United States with erecting trade barriers against beef and lemons, and the European Union with protectionist measures against its biodiesel.

Spain hints it may not reach 2012 public deficit goal — 02 December 2012, 18:48 CET

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said in remarks published Sunday it would be difficult to meet the goal of cutting the public deficit to 6.3 percent of gross domestic product this year in line with European Union demands.

Spain banks cut thousands of jobs in shakeup — 28 November 2012, 23:04 CET

Crippled Spanish banks said they would cut thousands of jobs after Brussels on Wednesday gave a green light for a big slice of aid to rescue them with tough conditions.

Spanish bank reform advances, Bankia cuts 6,000 jobs — 28 November 2012, 15:30 CET

Spain advanced on Wednesday with a major overhaul of its stricken banking sector after Brussels approved EU-funded restructuring plans, while nationalised Bankia forecast a huge loss.

EU clears Bankia, Spanish bank restructuring — 28 November 2012, 12:20 CET

The European Commission has cleared the restructuring of four Spanish banks -- Bankia, NCG Banco, Catalunya Banc and Banco de Valencia -- as part of a major overhaul of Spain's stricken banking sector.

Catalan chief boasts of EU's seventh economy — 23 November 2012, 12:36 CET

In the run-up to weekend elections, Catalonia's chief boasted Friday that his region would be the European Union's seventh richest per capita if it were a nation.

Crisis-hit Spain pays price of joining EU rich club — 21 November 2012, 03:47 CET

Blighted by recession and tottering on the edge of a sovereign bailout, Spain is about to pay the price of joining the club of richest nations in the European Union.

Spanish PM rejects proposed EUR 75 bn EU budget cut — 17 November 2012, 21:48 CET

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Saturday rejected as "unacceptable" a proposal from EU President Herman Van Rompuy to cut the bloc's 2014-2020 budget by 75 billion euros.

France bank chief says end of euro would be 'disaster' — 16 November 2012, 17:42 CET

Bank of France governor Christian Noyer said Friday the euro is here to stay and warned that its disappearance would be an "absolute disaster".

Commissioner says Spain off the fiscal hook for now — 14 November 2012, 19:22 CET

The European Commission on Wednesday took some pressure off Spain by saying it would not require more austerity measures this year and next even if Madrid is unable to meet budget commitments.

Banco Popular approves EUR 2.5 bn capital boost — 10 November 2012, 17:14 CET

Shareholders of Spain's fifth-biggest bank Banco Popular on Saturday approved raising 2.5 billion euros in new capital by issuing new stock to boost its capital base rather than accepting bailout aid.

Independence the key word as Catalonia campaign starts — 10 November 2012, 01:31 CET

Politicians in the Spanish region of Catalonia started campaigning Friday for an election later this month, with the region's current leader Artur Mas again promising a referendum on whether it should break away from Spain.

France drifting towards eurozone danger — 07 November 2012, 23:05 CET

France could be slipping into dangerous territory with its bid to bring excessive spending back within EU limits next year expected to fail, the EU said on Wednesday.

Spain faces deficit blow-out, slower growth: source — 06 November 2012, 19:36 CET

Struggling Spain, reluctant to call for a debt bailout, faces slower growth and a much bigger public deficit than its government initially expected, according to new EU estimates seen by AFP Tuesday.

Spain dismantles human trafficking ring — 31 October 2012, 20:23 CET

Spanish police said on Wednesday they had smashed a human trafficking ring in Barcelona, arresting 18 people suspected of smuggling around 1,000 Pakistanis every year into the European Union.

Spain's Bankia logs EUR 7bn loss to September — 26 October 2012, 19:10 CET

Ruined Spanish banking giant Bankia suffered more than seven billion euros in losses in the first nine months of this year, it said Friday.

IMF lauds Spain's financial sector reforms — 26 October 2012, 18:11 CET

The International Monetary Fund said Friday that Spain had made "important progress" in reforming its financial sector, meeting all deadlines under its deal for support from the European Union.

Catalan lawmakers warn of Spanish 'military threat' — 24 October 2012, 18:28 CET

European Union MPs from Catalonia sparked an uproar in Spain on Wednesday by warning of a military threat from Madrid and seeking EU intervention.

France, after Germany, backs Ireland on bank debt deal — 22 October 2012, 19:18 CET

France on Monday boosted hopes for ailing Irish banks to benefit retroactively from a new eurozone bailout fund, by repeating the German position that the crisis-hit country was a "specific case".