The EU and the Middle East

The European Union's relations with the Middle East

EU's Ashton 'encouraged' by democratic Egypt vote — 25 May 2012, 15:46 CET

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Friday hailed Egypt's presidential vote as "a major step forward in Egypt's democratic transition."

P5+1 making proposals 'of interest to Iran': EU — 23 May 2012, 13:53 CET

World powers laid out on Wednesday a new package of proposals in crunch talks over Iran's nuclear programme which will be "of interest" to Tehran, a spokesman for the EU's foreign policy chief said.

EU protests conviction of West Bank activist Tamimi — 22 May 2012, 18:50 CET

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton expressed strong concern Tuesday over the weekend conviction of Palestinian activist Bassem Tamimi.

South Korea seeks exemption from EU Iran oil ban — 22 May 2012, 11:26 CET

Seoul is seeking an exemption from a European Union embargo that would effectively halt shipments of Iranian oil to South Korea from July 1, officials said Tuesday.

EU's Ashton 'deeply concerned' by violence in Lebanon — 21 May 2012, 23:56 CET

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Monday she was "deeply concerned" by violence in Lebanon involving pro- and anti-Syrian groups that has sparked concerns of wider conflict.

World powers await 'concrete' results from Iran talks — 21 May 2012, 23:58 CET

World powers hope Iran will agree to stop enriching uranium to 20 percent at this week's talks on Tehran's contested nuclear drive, a European diplomat said Monday.

Iranian director Farhadi claims EU prize at Cannes — 21 May 2012, 00:17 CET

Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, who won this year's foreign-language picture Academy Award, claimed a prize at Cannes Sunday to help fund his next film, with fellow Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard.

Israel grooms ties with EU member Czech Republic — 17 May 2012, 19:42 CET

Israel and the Czech Republic inked a raft of inter-governmental deals on Thursday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began a two-day visit to Prague.

EU castigates Israel over settlements, Palestinians — 14 May 2012, 23:01 CET

EU foreign ministers on Monday issued a harsh critique of Israel, saying the gathering pace of settlement-building, settler extremism and ill-treatment of Palestinians threatens a two-state solution.

EU Palestinian aid projects destroyed by Israel: NGOs — 14 May 2012, 11:36 CET

Israel demolished dozens of Palestinian homes, water cisterns and farm buildings built with European funds in 2011, and over 100 such structures are at risk, aid groups said in a report on Monday.

EU, Iraq sign first ever partnership deal — 12 May 2012, 12:40 CET

The European Union and Iraq signed their first partnership agreement Friday, opening the way to a slew of trade and energy deals as well as improved cooperation to combat terrorism.

Ashton discusses Iran talks with Israel PM — 09 May 2012, 17:55 CET

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton met Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to discuss the upcoming nuclear talks between world powers and Iran.

EU asks Israel to let families visit hunger strikers — 08 May 2012, 22:19 CET

The Red Cross and EU on Tuesday expressed concern about several Palestinian prisoners in the advanced stages of a hunger strike, urging Israel to provide them with medical treatment and family visits.

EU asks Israel to let families visit hunger strikers — 08 May 2012, 15:54 CET

Israel must urgently allow Palestinian prisoners who are in the advanced stages of a hunger strike receive all necessary medical treatment and family visits, the European Union said on Tuesday.

IMF rejects call to cut ties with Iran — 01 May 2012, 22:59 CET

The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday rejected a call by a US anti-Iran group for it to cut its relations with Tehran's central bank in order to adhere to US and European sanctions.

Israel security chief 'meets EU brass over Iran talks' — 01 May 2012, 22:59 CET

Israel's National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror is holding talks with European diplomats ahead of the next round of talks over Iran's disputed nuclear programme, officials and reports said on Tuesday.

Russia voices concern over Israeli outposts — 26 April 2012, 10:58 CET

Russia on Thursday joined the United States and the European Union in expressing concern over Israel's decision to legalise three settler outposts in West Bank.

EU urges Israel to reverse settler outpost decision — 25 April 2012, 17:54 CET

The European Union called on Israel on Wednesday to reverse its decision to legalise three settler outposts in occupied Palestinian territory.

EU condemns Palestinians' eviction in east Jerusalem — 21 April 2012, 19:28 CET

The European Union missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah condemned on Saturday the recent eviction of a Palestinian family from its east Jerusalem home, ahead of its inhabitation by Jewish settlers.

Deadline to review EU's Iran oil ban postponed a month — 20 April 2012, 16:15 CET

European Union nations have agreed to a Greek request to postpone by one month an April deadline to review the impact of the bloc's oil embargo on Iran, EU diplomats said Friday.

Iran oil sales to European countries not halted: minister — 19 April 2012, 11:57 CET

Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi said on Thursday that oil sales to Germany, Greece and Spain had not been halted as reported by state media last week.

Iran, world powers next talks May 23 in Baghdad: EU — 14 April 2012, 20:57 CET

Iran and world powers agreed in nuclear talks Saturday to hold another, more in-depth meeting in Baghdad on May 23, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said after "constructive" discussions here.

No Iranian response yet on mooted US meeting: source — 14 April 2012, 16:22 CET

Iran's delegation at crunch nuclear talks here on Saturday has not yet said whether it is willing to hold what would be rare bilateral discussions with their US counterparts, an Iranian source told AFP.

Iran talks with world powers 'positive': EU — 14 April 2012, 15:42 CET

Iran's talks Saturday with six world powers aimed at easing tensions over Tehran's nuclear programme were faring much better than the last failed attempt, with prospects good for another round, the European Union said.

EU upbeat on progress in Iran talks — 14 April 2012, 16:29 CET

Iran's talks Saturday with six world powers aimed at easing tensions over Tehran's nuclear programme are much better than the last failed attempt, with good prospects for another round, an EU spokesman said.