European Security and Defence Policy

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

West stays off Syria warpath despite worsening violence — 12 February 2012, 13:38 CET

Despite the escalating violence in Syria, Western powers refuse to unleash a Libya-type operation against a regime backed by a much bigger army and powerful allies.

EU funding shortfall for ex-Soviet nuclear plants clean-up — 08 February 2012, 11:41 CET

The EU faces a shortfall of some 2.5 billion euros to complete de-commissioning of eight ex-Soviet nuclear plants in Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovakia, says the European Court of Auditors.

Sanctions 'won't affect Iran's nuclear policy' — 07 February 2012, 14:55 CET

New Western sanctions will fail to force Iran to give up its nuclear "rights," a foreign ministry official said on Tuesday, a day after the United States unveiled more measures against Iran's central bank.

Europe has 'nothing to fear' from US focus on Asia: Germany — 03 February 2012, 18:31 CET

Europe should not fear a renewed US focus on Asia and must increasingly look after its own backyard militarily without its historic ally, Germany's defence minister said on Friday.

Iran will respond to any oil, military threats: Khamenei — 03 February 2012, 12:22 CET

Iran will respond with threats of its own to intensifying warnings of military attacks and Western sanctions, its supreme leader said Friday in remarks particularly aimed at archfoe the United States.

Greece seeking backup oil supply against Iranian embargo — 02 February 2012, 15:44 CET

Greece on Thursday said it was looking for alternative options to counterbalance the effects of a planned European Union embargo on Iranian oil imports on its struggling economy.

France faces EUR 79bn charge for nuclear power — 31 January 2012, 23:05 CET

Dismantling France's nuclear reactors and storing their radioactive waste will eventually cost around 79 billion euros, the national audit office said on Tuesday.

Germany urges restraint after Iran oil stop threat — 29 January 2012, 14:19 CET

Germany Sunday called for restraint from Iran amid an escalation in tensions over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme and a threat to immediately cut off oil exports to Europe.

Iran says to write to EU on date for nuclear talks — 29 January 2012, 14:11 CET

Iran's top nuclear negotiator will write to the European Union "soon" to discuss a date and venue for fresh talks on Tehran's atomic programme, the official IRNA news agency said Sunday.

Iran MPs to mull ban on oil exports to Europe — 26 January 2012, 10:06 CET

Iran's parliament is expected to consider next week a bill to ban oil exports to Europe after the bloc imposed an embargo on oil from the Islamic republic, media quoted deputies as saying Thursday.

China blasts EU sanctions on Iran — 26 January 2012, 10:05 CET

China said Thursday that EU sanctions on Iran announced this week in response to Tehran's suspected nuclear drive were "not constructive", echoing Russia's reaction to the measures.

Iran under pressure of new sanctions wave — 25 January 2012, 15:17 CET

Sanctions drawn up by the European Union to dissuade Iran from building a nuclear weapon should considerably hamper a country already suffering from previous economic measures imposed by the West, analysts said.

Russia to deploy missiles on EU borders this year: report — 25 January 2012, 14:32 CET

Russia plans to deploy Iskander missiles on the European Union's border later this year, a source in its western Baltic Fleet told the Interfax news agency on Wednesday.

India says still buying Iran oil, despite new sanctions — 25 January 2012, 10:42 CET

India's oil minister said Wednesday the energy-hungry nation was continuing to import oil from Iran and was not bound by new sanctions imposed by the European Union.

Iran takes centre stage as EU's Ashton visits Israel — 24 January 2012, 20:23 CET

Iran's disputed nuclear drive played a major role in talks between Catherine Ashton and senior Israeli officials Tuesday after the EU foreign policy chief arrived in the region for a three-day visit.

Britain not seeking military conflict with Iran: Hague — 24 January 2012, 20:22 CET

Britain is neither planning nor advocating military action against Iran over its nuclear programme or its threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, Foreign Secretary William Hague insisted Tuesday.

Iran summons Danish envoy to protest EU oil embargo — 24 January 2012, 20:18 CET

Iran on Tuesday summoned the Danish envoy, whose nation currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, after the 27-nation bloc moved to impose an embargo on Iranian oil exports, media reported.

Australia will follow EU ban on Iranian oil imports: Rudd — 24 January 2012, 17:13 CET

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said on Tuesday his country would follow the European Union in banning Iranian oil imports, after talks with his British counterpart in London.

Iran summons Danish envoy to protest EU oil embargo — 24 January 2012, 13:57 CET

Iran on Tuesday summoned the Danish envoy, whose nation currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, after the 27-nation bloc moved to impose an embargo on Iranian oil exports, media reported.

Australia will follow EU ban on Iranian oil imports: Rudd — 24 January 2012, 12:02 CET

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said on Tuesday his country would follow the European Union in banning Iranian oil imports, after talks with his British counterpart in London.

'No concern' finding new buyers after EU oil embargo: Iran — 24 January 2012, 11:02 CET

Iran, OPEC's second largest producer, said it has "no concern" finding new customers for its crude after the European Union decided to impose an embargo on Iranian oil exports, local media reported.

EU sanctions target Iran's Tejarat bank, Guards Corps — 24 January 2012, 10:52 CET

The EU targeted both Iran's central bank and Tejarat bank, its third largest, as well as shipping firms and three senior Revolutionary Guards in new sanctions this week, the EU Official Journal said Tuesday.

Obama lauds Iran oil embargo as US turns the screw — 24 January 2012, 10:51 CET

US President Barack Obama tightened the noose on Iran's battered banking system Tuesday and lauded an EU move to choke Tehran's oil exports, amid evidence that sanctions are beginning to bite.

US sees no Iranian response to EU embargo — 23 January 2012, 23:06 CET

The US military noticed no reaction Monday from Iran after the European Union voted to embargo Iranian oil, a Pentagon spokesman said.

US says new EU Iran sanctions 'another strong step' — 23 January 2012, 18:47 CET

The United States said Monday that a European Union embargo on Iran's oil exports and other sanctions are "another strong step" to raise pressure on Tehran to curb its nuclear ambitions.