European Security and Defence Policy

Latest news about EU initiatives relating to a common security policy for Europe

EU ready to take unilateral sanctions against Tehran: Kouchner — 14 March 2010, 23:23 CET

The European Union is ready to unilaterally impose new sanctions on Iran over its disputed nuclear programme, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner confirmed on Sunday.

Finland moots EU sanctions on Iran — 13 March 2010, 15:17 CET

The European Union will unilaterally impose new sanctions on Iran over its disputed nuclear programme if there is no consensus at the UN, Finland's foreign minister said Saturday.

US brushes aside notion of protectionism in tanker contract — 12 March 2010, 22:22 CET

The Pentagon on Friday dismissed suggestions of protectionism in a massive contract for aerial refueling tankers and said US officials "value the contribution" of the European defense industry.

French president slams US decision on tanker jets — 12 March 2010, 16:06 CET

French President Nicolas Sarkozy criticised the United States on Friday over bidding rules for a tanker jet contract, saying it was not the way for Washington to treat its European allies.

More pirates rounded up by EU naval forces — 12 March 2010, 13:52 CET

European Union naval forces on Friday rounded up a new crew of suspected pirates, destroying one skiff and seizing another "as evidence."

Top campaigner scoffs at Euro noises on US nukes — 11 March 2010, 17:17 CET

A top nuclear disarmament advocate scoffed on Thursday at public efforts to see US Cold War-era warheads removed from Europe, citing staunch opposition from former Russian satellite states.

EU-US tanker contract spat to have 'consequences' — 10 March 2010, 17:39 CET

Claims the Pentagon skewed bidding rules for a tanker jet contract in favour of an American manufacturer will have serious consequences for EU-US relations, senior French officials said on Wednesday.

Europe furious at US air force tender trap — 09 March 2010, 16:11 CET

Europe cried foul on Tuesday over Pentagon contract rules it said favoured US plane-makers, after European consortium EADS threw in the towel on a mammoth US defence tender.

EU queries US contract rules after EADS withdrawal — 09 March 2010, 12:30 CET

European trade chiefs on Tuesday queried tender rules for a 35-billion-dollar US Air Force aerial refuelling tanker plane contract after Europe's EADS pulled out of the race.

Armed Spanish trawler repels pirate attack — 04 March 2010, 22:06 CET

Armed, private security guards aboard a Spanish trawler repelled an attack by pirates using rocket-propelled grenades in the Indian Ocean on Thursday, naval forces and Spanish sources said.

US, EU call for new nuclear sanctions against Iran — 03 March 2010, 22:46 CET

The United States and the European Union said Wednesday that there must be more sanctions against Iran's nuclear programme if diplomacy fails to shift Tehran.

EU calls for 'clear response' to Iran — 03 March 2010, 13:12 CET

The European Union on Wednesday called for a "clear response" to Iran, saying it was ready to support a further round of sanctions against the Islamic republic over its controversial nuclear drive.

Officer, Legal and Contracting Unit, European Defence Agency — 02 March 2010, 23:57 CET

The European Defence Agency is looking to recruit an Officer for its Legal and Contracting Unit.

France's Russia warship plan raises Baltic hackles — 02 March 2010, 17:39 CET

France's plan to sell Moscow four warships has triggered anger in former Soviet republics now firmly anchored in the European Union and NATO, fearful their new western allies underestimate the Kremlin.

EU backs European investor for Bulgarian nuclear plant — 02 March 2010, 14:22 CET

EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger on Tuesday backed Bulgarian efforts to find a European investor for a new nuclear plant in Bulgaria that a Russian company has been hired to build.

Turkish negotiator rejects concerns 'coup' sweep could hit EU bid — 26 February 2010, 22:46 CET

Turkey's chief EU negotiator on Friday brushed aside suggestions that a wave of arrests tied to an alleged military coup plot could upset his country's drive to join the bloc.

Absent Ashton under fire from EU defence ministers — 26 February 2010, 22:50 CET

Europe's top diplomat Catherine Ashton attracted more flak on Thursday for failing to attend a meeting of EU defence ministers.

French defence minister takes aim at absent Ashton — 25 February 2010, 22:50 CET

French Defence Minister Herve Morin took aim at EU High Representative Catherine Ashton Thursday for opting out of her first chance to attend a meeting with his 26 EU counterparts.

Ashton absence from EU defence ministers' meet ruffles feathers — 24 February 2010, 23:16 CET

A last-minute decision by the EU's new foreign affairs chief not to attend a two-day meeting of defence ministers from the bloc which got underway Wednesday in Spain has ruffled diplomatic feathers.

Turkey's defence chiefs assess 'serious' coup plot arrests — 24 February 2010, 03:47 CET

Turkish prosecutors will on Wednesday question some of the suspects arrested over an alleged military coup plot, as US and European Union officials expressed concern over the affair.

EU concerned at Turkish coup plot arrests — 23 February 2010, 23:27 CET

The European Commission on Tuesday voiced concern at the "serious allegations" of coup plotting levelled against dozens of senior defence figures in Turkey and called for "exemplary... fair" trials.

EU ministers to explore common defence strategy — 23 February 2010, 23:38 CET

EU defence ministers, meeting in Spain Wednesday, will consider increased military ties authorised by the bloc's Lisbon Treaty, but with EU diplomatic chief Catherine Ashton notable by her absence.

Europe divided over tougher Iran sanctions — 22 February 2010, 12:22 CET

European nations appeared divided Monday over boosting sanctions against Iran after the impasse over its controversial nuclear programme.

Europeans eye deep underground nuclear waste repositories — 20 February 2010, 23:08 CET

The European Union is moving ahead with plans to dispose of nuclear waste directly underground, with the first site due to be up and running in Finland, waste management experts said on Friday.

Countries send joint A400M funding bid to EADS — 15 February 2010, 16:16 CET

The seven countries that ordered the Airbus A400M military transport plane have submitted a joint proposal on how to cover extra costs, a German defence ministry spokesman said Monday.