European Commission

Greece still needs to 'convince' eurozone partners: EU — 09 February 2012, 19:09 CET

Greece still needs to convince eurozone partners that it will implement economic reforms and budget cuts before it can get a new bailout, the European Union's economic affairs chief said on Thursday.

First EU official off to Myanmar ahead of 'crucial' polls — 09 February 2012, 09:19 CET

Myanmar's upcoming elections will be crucial for the credibility of reforms that remain "fragile," the EU's foreign aid chief told AFP ahead of a trip to offer 150 million euros to the country.

EU started 2012 in deficit: Commissioner — 08 February 2012, 11:01 CET

The European Union kicked off 2012 already 11 billion euros in the red, its budget commissioner told a German newspaper on Wednesday.

EU refuses to fund 'pointless' Greece-Turkey border fence — 07 February 2012, 19:01 CET

The European Commission rejected on Tuesday a request from Greece to help pay to build a fence along its porous border with Turkey, calling the project "pointless."

Barroso: 'We want Greece in the euro' — 07 February 2012, 15:02 CET

European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso insisted Tuesday that Greece will remain in the eurozone after one of his deputies suggested the eurozone would survive a Greek exit.

Greek eurozone exit would be no crisis: Commissioner — 07 February 2012, 12:24 CET

A Greek exit from the eurozone would not dump the single currency union in crisis, European Commission vice president Neelie Kroes said on Tuesday.

Greece already 'past deadline' for debt deal: Commission — 06 February 2012, 19:20 CET

The EU warned Monday that Greek politicians are living on borrowed time if they are to deliver on past promises, agree new commitments and slash the country's debts in exchange for a new bailout.

EU 'not backing down' on airline emissions in Chinese row — 07 February 2012, 12:29 CET

The European Commission said Monday it will stand by a new law that imposes charges on airline carbon emissions after China banned its carriers from paying for such permits.

EU to 'reinforce' Greece scrutiny after German control move — 28 January 2012, 20:36 CET

The European Commission said Saturday it will "reinforce" monitoring of Greek public finances, after Germany called on Athens to surrender budgetary sovereignty.

Cameron's tax arithmetic is wrong, says Brussels — 26 January 2012, 16:31 CET

The European Commission on Thursday shot down figures cited by Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron to argue against a planned financial transaction tax.

Brussels to probe Latvian bank sale plans — 26 January 2012, 16:23 CET

The European Commission said Thursday it was launching a probe into state support for Latvia's Hipoteku un Zemes Banka (Mortgage and Land Bank, MLB) ahead of an eventual sell-off of its commerical assets.

EU's Rehn demands Spain meet 2012 deficit target — 24 January 2012, 17:05 CET

EU economic affairs commissioner Olli Rehn on Tuesday told Spain it must meet its existing target for its 2012 public deficit, despite the figure for 2011 likely coming in higher than expected.

German diplomat named EU's new Middle East envoy — 23 January 2012, 23:13 CET

The European Union named on Monday a veteran German diplomat as the new EU envoy to the Middle East peace process amid tensions with Israel over Jewish settlements.

EU's Rehn hopes for Greek debt deal, 'preferably' this week — 23 January 2012, 23:14 CET

The EU's euro commissioner Olli Rehn said Monday he was optimistic that negotiations with banks on a massive write-down of Greek government debt could be wrapped up, "preferably" this week.

EU urges balance between Internet freedom and copyright — 22 January 2012, 22:55 CET

Governments must strike a balance between policing the Internet to protect copyright and upholding freedom of expression, EU justice commissioner Viviane Reding said on Sunday.

EU launches talks with Kosovo on visa free regime — 19 January 2012, 18:05 CET

The European Union on Thursday opened talks with the authorities in Pristina aimed at allowing Kosovans to travel to the EU's passport-free Schengen zone without a visa, officials said.

Commission wants IMF's 'strong members' to boost funds — 19 January 2012, 17:10 CET

The European Commission on Thursday urged "strong members of the IMF" to step up to the plate to boost rescue funding capacity at the global lender of last resort.

Hungary PM ready to modify disputed laws: Barroso — 18 January 2012, 17:40 CET

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has told EU authorities he will modify controversial laws which are the subject of legal action against Budapest launched by the European Commission, the executive chief said Wednesday.

EU anti-trust chief insists trading exchanges stay 'fair' — 17 January 2012, 22:33 CET

EU competition chief Joaquin Almunia said Tuesday that financial markets must remain "fair, efficient and therefore competitive," as he spoke of a looming decision on the endangered merger of Deutsche Boerse and NYSE Euronext.

Pressure builds on Hungary over economy, constitution — 12 January 2012, 22:15 CET

European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso said Thursday he would do everything in his power to get Hungary to abide by EU laws, amid arm wrestling with Budapest over its new constitution.

Barroso wants to boost emergency funds in eurozone — 12 January 2012, 17:49 CET

European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso said Thursday he favoured stronger financial security fund mechanisms in the eurozone to help reassure markets.

EU takes first steps to sanction deficit offenders — 11 January 2012, 19:59 CET

Battling to beat the debt crisis, the European Union took its first step Wednesday towards imposing new penalties on countries breaching budget deficit reduction targets needed to save the euro.

Obama must live up to Guantanamo pledge: Commissioner — 11 January 2012, 22:22 CET

The European Union's home affairs commissioner urged US President Barack Obama on Wednesday to fulfill his promise to close Guantanamo, calling the continued detention of prisoners "a disgrace".

EU urges new spending squeeze in Spain — 11 January 2012, 15:35 CET

The EU's economy commissioner Olli Rehn said Wednesday that the EU executive expects Spain to take fresh measures to curb public spending this year, including radical job-market reforms.

Economy Commissioner to meet Hungarian negotiator next week — 10 January 2012, 17:04 CET

EU economic affairs chief Olli Rehn will hold talks with Hungarian negotiator Tamas Fellegi next week to discuss a request for financial aid and a disputed central bank law, an EU spokesman said Tuesday.