The EU and the Middle East

The European Union's relations with the Middle East

British judge freezes Abu Hamza extradition — 26 September 2012, 22:11 CET

A British judge on Wednesday halted the extradition of Abu Hamza to the United States on terror charges after the radical Islamist preacher lodged a last-ditch legal appeal.

Radical cleric Abu Hamza in new British extradition appeal — 26 September 2012, 15:40 CET

Radical Islamist Abu Hamza launched a last-minute legal appeal Wednesday in a British court against extradition to the US, after a European court ruled he could be handed over, an official said.

EU mulls 'full' financial freeze, shipping ban on Iran — 26 September 2012, 00:07 CET

EU nations are discussing a British sanctions proposal against Iran that notably calls for a ban on shipping and "full" freeze on financial transactions with Iran's central bank, European diplomats said Tuesday.

BBC apologises to queen over Abu Hamza story — 25 September 2012, 17:05 CET

The BBC apologised to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II Tuesday after revealing that she raised concerns with a previous government about radical cleric Abu Hamza, who faces extradition to the United States.

Radical cleric Abu Hamza set for extradition to US — 26 September 2012, 00:05 CET

Britain on Tuesday prepared to hand over radical Muslim preacher Abu Hamza to the United States on terrorism charges after the European Court of Human Rights rejected his final appeal.

Abu Hamza extradition to US backed by Europe rights court — 24 September 2012, 22:22 CET

Britain vowed Monday to hand over radical Muslim preacher Abu Hamza to the United States on terrorism charges as soon as possible after the European Court of Human Rights rejected his final appeal.

France offers EUR 150m loan to help Jordan budget — 24 September 2012, 19:18 CET

The French Development Agency inked a deal with the Jordanian government on Monday to provide the kingdom with a soft loan of 150 million euros ($193 million) to support its battered budget.

'Step up pressure' on Iran, say Britain, France, Germany — 24 September 2012, 13:47 CET

Britain, France and Germany urged their European Union partners "to further step up the pressure" on Iran by agreeing new sanctions to undermine its nuclear drive, in a joint letter seen by AFP on Monday.

EU, France sign EUR 940m metro deal with Egypt — 23 September 2012, 22:30 CET

The European Union and France have signed a 940 million euro agreement with the Egyptian government to fund the construction of a new metro extension, the EU mission in Cairo said in a statement on Sunday.

Iran's top negotiator says Istanbul nuclear talks 'fruitful' — 19 September 2012, 13:00 CET

Iran's top nuclear negotiator said Wednesday he had a "fruitful" meeting in Istanbul with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and voiced hope it would help resolve the standoff with the West.

Ashton to consult with UN after Iran nuclear talks — 19 September 2012, 11:07 CET

The top negotiator with Iran over its disputed nuclear drive said Wednesday that she would consult with UN partners in New York after face-to-face talks overnight with Iran's Saeed Jalili.

US extends EU, Japan exemptions from Iran sanctions — 14 September 2012, 23:38 CET

The United States said Friday it would extend exemptions for European Union nations and Japan from tough sanctions that recently took effect against any nation that buys Tehran's oil.

EU voices 'great concern' for Palestinian hunger strikers — 14 September 2012, 23:36 CET

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton expressed "great concern" Friday over the fate of three Palestinians on hunger strike in Israeli detention after the ICRC warned they risked death.

EU offers Egypt's Morsi EUR 1bn aid and better trade — 13 September 2012, 17:24 CET

EU leaders offered Egypt more than a billion euros in aid and better trade terms as President Mohamed Morsi flew in for his first visit to Europe.

Egypt's Morsi repeats that Assad must step down — 13 September 2012, 12:28 CET

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi reiterated during a visit to the EU on Thursday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must step down as "a president that kills his own people is not acceptable."

Sharp drop in boat migrants to Italy — 12 September 2012, 18:51 CET

Italy has seen a drastic reduction in the number of immigrants washing up on its shores, in part thanks to a deal with North African countries to prevent boat departures, the government said Wednesday.

Libya must protect diplomats after 'despicable' attack: EU — 12 September 2012, 16:53 CET

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Wednesday condemned as "despicable" the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi and urged Libya to ensure the protection of diplomats and foreign staff.

Iran slams talk of more sanctions as 'irresponsible' — 09 September 2012, 20:01 CET

Iran on Sunday hit out at talk of more EU sanctions being applied against it as "irresponsible," singling out Britain for raising the prospect it claimed went against UN nuclear watchdog regulations.

EU threatens new Iran sanctions despite Russia grumblings — 08 September 2012, 16:23 CET

European Union nations waved the threat of new international sanctions against Iran over its contested nuclear drive on Saturday, as Russia complained such measures harm its interests.

EU heading towards new Iran sanctions — 08 September 2012, 00:42 CET

European Union nations are exploring a new raft of sanctions against Iran as exasperation mounts over blocked talks on the country's contested nuclear programme.

Britain urges EU to blacklist Hezbollah military wing — 08 September 2012, 00:35 CET

Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague on Friday urged the European Union to place the military branch of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah on its list of "terrorist" organisations.

Britain urges EU to strengthen Iran sanctions — 08 September 2012, 00:35 CET

British Foreign Secretary William Hague urged the European Union on Friday to step up the pressure on Iran over its controversial nuclear drive by beefing up sanctions.

EU must blacklist Hezbollah, says Netanyahu — 05 September 2012, 18:11 CET

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday urged the European Union to place the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah on its list of "terrorist" organisations.

Fresh nuclear talks with Iran within 'days': EU negotiator — 30 August 2012, 16:32 CET

Fresh talks with world powers on Iran's disputed nuclear drive will be held "in the coming days," the spokesman for EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said on Thursday.

South Africa, EU diplomat discuss Iran and Zimbabwe — 24 August 2012, 21:41 CET

European Union diplomatic chief Catherine Ashton and South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane held talks here Friday on sanctions that have been slapped against Iran and Zimbabwe.