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Business news and information from the European Union

Cameron's speech was to warn of British drift to EU exit — 18 January 2013, 01:17 CET

Britain could drift out of the European Union unless the bloc meets key challenges, Prime Minister David Cameron was to have said in a speech on Friday that has been postponed by the Algeria hostage crisis.

Obama tells Cameron US backs 'strong' Britain in EU — 17 January 2013, 23:44 CET

President Barack Obama told David Cameron Thursday the United States backed a "strong" Britain in a strong European Union as his friend gears up for a fateful speech on his country's EU future.

Commission declares 2013 the year of air — 17 January 2013, 22:11 CET

The European Commission has declared 2013 the year of air, with new proposals on improving air quality across Europe.

British PM postpones EU speech over Algeria crisis — 17 January 2013, 22:06 CET

Prime Minister David Cameron has postponed a major EU speech planned for Friday because of the Algerian hostage crisis and warned Britain should brace itself for "the possibility of bad news ahead".

Serbia, Kosovo PMs in new round of EU-sponsored talks — 17 January 2013, 19:40 CET

The premiers of Kosovo and Serbia, Ivica Dacic and Hashim Thaci, met Thursday for a new round of EU-mediated talks aimed at ironing out mutual tensions.

African troops pledged for Mali mission start arriving — 17 January 2013, 19:39 CET

West African troops mobilised Thursday to join a French-led intervention force to stop the advance of Islamist rebels based in northern Mali.

Van Rompuy commits EU summit to disputed budget — 17 January 2013, 19:30 CET

Next month's scheduled summit of EU leaders will be devoted to the bloc's divisive 2014-20 budget, with EU head Herman Van Rompuy confident of a deal after failure in November, EU sources said Thursday.

EU agrees mission to train Mali army, funds for Africa force — 17 January 2013, 19:13 CET

EU foreign ministers have agreed to send military trainers for Mali's embattled army while funding an African-led intervention force and offering fresh help to France.

EU partners may offer troops for Mali: France's Fabius — 17 January 2013, 18:09 CET

Some of France's EU partners are considering whether to offer troops to back up its military campaign in Mali against Islamist insurgents, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Thursday.

Likely new Dutch Eurogroup boss is austere and unknown — 17 January 2013, 17:52 CET

Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem's reputation as a slightly stuffy bridge-builder will serve him well if, as expected, he becomes the head of the Eurogroup, coordinating austerity policies in the crisis-hit eurozone.

Cross-wearing British woman wins European court case — 17 January 2013, 16:53 CET

A British Airways employee banned from wearing a cross said she felt "vindicated" after she won her case at the European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday.

New European driving licence hits the road from Saturday — 17 January 2013, 16:15 CET

A new European driving licence first agreed seven years ago by EU governments, finally takes to the roads across the continent on Saturday, says the Commission.

MEPs take airlines to task over hand luggage — 17 January 2013, 16:14 CET

Too big, too heavy, too many -- European travellers are being taken for a ride by airlines charging what they like for carry-on baggage and the EU should standardise the rules, MEPs said Thursday.

The role of the EU military mission to help Mali's army — 17 January 2013, 15:51 CET

The European Union has no defence force of its own and that is not about to change in Mali despite Thursday's decision to provide trainers for the Malian army.

Britain's Cameron warned against EU exit on eve of speech — 17 January 2013, 15:50 CET

British Prime Minister David Cameron faced last-minute warnings from both his government and the opposition Thursday on the eve of a major speech on relations with the European Union.

Mali minister at EU talks warns of 'global threat' — 17 January 2013, 15:50 CET

Mali's Foreign Minister Tieman Coulibaly said Thursday that the presence of Islamists linked to Al-Qaeda in the north of the conflict-torn West African state constitutes a "global threat."

EASA endorses FAA decision to ground all 787 Dreamliners — 17 January 2013, 15:34 CET

The European Aviation Safety Agency said Thursday it has adopted a directive by the US Federal Aviation Administration to ground all Boeing 787 Dreamliners pending a safety review.

Dutch uneasy at role as Cameron's EU reform podium — 17 January 2013, 11:55 CET

The Dutch are increasingly uneasy about Prime Minister David Cameron coming to the Netherlands to make his speech on Britain's future in Europe, with some critics saying he'd be better off staying at home.

Irish PM warns UK exit from EU would be 'catastrophic' — 17 January 2013, 00:27 CET

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny warned Wednesday that a British exit from the EU would be a disaster, after giving a passionately pro-Europe speech to the European Parliament.

EU warns Latvia about non-resident banking — 16 January 2013, 22:46 CET

The European Commission warned eurozone aspirant Latvia on Wednesday to guard against growing banking sector imbalances and to closely monitor the identity of non-resident account holders.

Euro-Parliament approves tighter ratings agency rules — 16 January 2013, 22:44 CET

The European Parliament on Wednesday voted through tougher transparency standards for the credit rating agencies that many blame for stoking risk and deepening the eurozone debt crisis.

Bundesbank says will bring home gold reserves — 16 January 2013, 22:44 CET

The Bundesbank has decided to bring home to Germany some of its huge piles of gold ingots stashed away in the United States and France, it said on Wednesday after accusations that it has not kept proper track of the reserves.

British PM gambles with risky Europe speech — 16 January 2013, 22:44 CET

British Prime Minister David Cameron gives a long-awaited speech in the Netherlands on Friday that could push his country towards the European exit door and put his own position at risk.

IMF releases EUR 3.2 bn aid payment to Greece — 16 January 2013, 22:41 CET

The International Monetary Fund said Wednesday it would release 3.2 billion euros in aid to Greece that had been frozen for months amid fears about the country's ability to surmount its debt crisis.

EU nations offer new help to push back Mali jihadists — 16 January 2013, 19:49 CET

European Union nations stepped up offers of help in the campaign against Mali's Islamist rebels Wednesday, with Germany and Italy pledging logistical support a day ahead of key crisis talks.