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Business news and information from the European Union

Europe waits on Germany as Greece deadline looms — 22 March 2010, 00:37 CET

European Union leaders gather this week for a summit officially called to decide on a long-term strategy for competing with rival, emerging economies. But the issue of what to do about Greece will be uppermost on their minds.

Germany to grant bln-euro loan for A350 development — 21 March 2010, 22:24 CET

The German government is ready to grant a 1.1 billion euro loan to develop the Airbus A350 long-haul passenger aircraft, a senior economics ministry official said Sunday.

Merkel gives Greece EU stability pledge — 21 March 2010, 22:24 CET

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Greece's Prime Minister Georges Papandreou on Sunday that the European Union would do "everything necessary" to preserve eurozone stability.

EU turf war erupts over control of development aid — 21 March 2010, 13:56 CET

A turf war has erupted in Brussels, pitting the European Commission against EU member states in a bid for control of the top diplomatic jobs and the influential development aid purse strings.

Greek drama reveals a more euro-cautious Germany — 21 March 2010, 13:56 CET

As Europe looks to Germany for answers on how to bail out debt-stricken Greece, Berlin has become ever more willing to defend its national interests rather than toe the European line, analysts said.

Merkel not opposed to bilateral aid for Greece — 21 March 2010, 13:53 CET

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in comments broadcast Sunday, indicated she would not oppose bilateral aid to help Greece out of its debt crisis, though she did not think it was yet necessary.

EU grants Serbia aid package — 21 March 2010, 00:34 CET

The European Union on Saturday said it had granted Serbia 70 million euros in aid for infrastructure and reforms needed to gain membership of the 27-member bloc.

Israel rules out 'territorial concessions' to Palestinians — 20 March 2010, 23:53 CET

Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Saturday ruled out any "territorial concessions" to the Palestinians that do not contribute to a settlement of the Middle East conflict.

Israel's Netanyahu to meet EU leaders after US trip — 20 March 2010, 23:50 CET

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a 24-hour visit to Brussels next week for talks with European leaders, an Israeli official told AFP on Saturday.

Tadic absent as Balkan leaders meet on EU integration — 20 March 2010, 23:49 CET

An EU-Balkans summit aimed at speeding up the region's European integration met on Saturday, overshadowed by Serb President Boris Tadic's last minute decision not to attend.

EU ready to give 'urgent assistance' to Greece — 20 March 2010, 16:37 CET

The European Union is ready to provide urgent help to debt-ridden Greece, a report said on Saturday, putting new pressure on Germany which has been seen to drag its feet on the country's financial crisis.

No European financial protectionism: Barnier — 20 March 2010, 16:32 CET

EU financial services commissioner Michel Barnier sought on Friday to calm US fears of discrimination over European financial services reforms that would regulate hedge funds.

Albanian stalemate can hit EU ambitions: Commissioner — 20 March 2010, 16:31 CET

Albania must resolve a political impasse on a contested parliamentary election as it could torpedo its aim of joining the European Union, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said on Friday.

EU skirts gay, illegal immigrant rows in deal with poor nations — 19 March 2010, 22:54 CET

Negotiators on Friday avoided disputes over gay and illegal immigrant rights between European and African, Caribbean and Pacific nations to revise a development agreement.

Barroso calls for swift EU agreement on aid for Greece — 19 March 2010, 22:52 CET

EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso on Friday urged member states to approve "as soon as possible" the creation of a financial aid mechanism for Greece to use if necessary.

Pressure mounts over IMF role in Greek crisis — 19 March 2010, 22:48 CET

Europe split over IMF intervention for debt-ridden Greece on Friday, upping pressure on national leaders to resolve crisis plans just days from a crunch EU summit.

Serbia-Kosovo row overshadows EU-Balkans summit — 19 March 2010, 22:46 CET

A EU-Balkans summit aimed at speeding up the region's European integration in Slovenia this weekend suffered a blow as Serbian President Boris Tadic said he would not attend because of a row over Kosovo.

Macedonian, Greek PMs to discuss name row in Brussels — 19 March 2010, 22:42 CET

The prime ministers of Macedonia and Greece were to meet in Brussels next week for talks aimed at resolving a 19-year row over the name of the former Yugoslav republic, a Macedonian statement said.

Albanian stalemate can hit EU ambitions: official — 19 March 2010, 22:42 CET

Albania must resolve a political impasse on a contested parliamentary election as it could torpedo its aim of joining the European Union, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said Friday.

Hungary seeks extension to foreigners land ban — 19 March 2010, 18:56 CET

Hungary said on Friday that it will ask the European Union to an extend a ban on foreigners buying farmland in the country for three years.

Kiev seeks Russia-EU consortium for pipelines — 19 March 2010, 18:55 CET

Ukraine's new leadership wants a joint Russian-EU consortium to be set up to help modernise the country's gas pipeline network, a vice prime minister said on Friday.

EU agrees to act to stop Iran jamming broadcasts, Internet — 19 March 2010, 18:55 CET

EU nations are determined to take action to end Iran's "unacceptable" jamming of satellite broadcasts and Internet censorship, according to a text agreed by European ambassadors in Brussels.

Kosovo urged to step up graft fight: EU — 19 March 2010, 18:54 CET

Kosovo must make real progress in fighting corruption and organised crime if Pristina is to achieve its goal of EU membership, a European Union official said on Friday.

French minister offers EU's Ashton language lessons — 19 March 2010, 18:54 CET

France's minister for European affairs made a doubled-edged gesture to under-fire EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Friday, offering to arrange for her to take French lessons.

Pressure mounts over IMF role in Greek crisis — 19 March 2010, 18:42 CET

Europe split over IMF intervention for debt-ridden Greece on Friday, upping pressure on national leaders to resolve crisis plans just days from a crunch summit.