European Security and Defence Policy

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

Iran's Jalili says Istanbul nuclear talks 'long and useful' — 16 May 2013, 13:46 CET

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said on Thursday that nuclear talks with the EU'S foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton were "long and useful" and that both sides have decided to continue the discussions.

Mali donor conference raises EUR 3.25 bn — 15 May 2013, 22:25 CET

International donors pledged a much more than expected 3.2 billion euros in aid Wednesday to help Mali avoid the mistakes which allowed Islamist rebels to seize vast swathes of the troubled country.

Mali aid meet opens with pledge to avoid past mistakes — 15 May 2013, 13:35 CET

International donors pledged Wednesday to help all sides in Mali avoid the mistakes of the past which led to crisis and war as they put together an aid package worth two billion euros.

EU urges Greece to respect refugees' right to asylum — 14 May 2013, 20:21 CET

The European Union on Tuesday called on Greece to review its asylum policies, especially for Syrians fleeing "atrocities" in their country.

Germany cancels 'Euro Hawk' drone programme — 14 May 2013, 18:56 CET

Germany has cancelled a planned 'Euro Hawk' drone programme fearing European authorities will not certify them, a defence ministry source said Tuesday after reported European safety concerns.

Mali president will do utmost to ensure polls on July 28 — 14 May 2013, 18:55 CET

Mali's interim President Dioncounda Traore said Tuesday he will do his utmost to ensure that national elections, a key goal of the troubled country's backers, take place as planned on July 28.

Mali president pledges polls as EU, France gather donors — 14 May 2013, 20:20 CET

Mali's president pledged Tuesday that July elections, a key goal of the troubled country's backers, will go ahead as he prepared for a donors conference meant to help Bamako move on from war and a two-year political crisis.

EADS posts profit leap as Airbus orders soar — 14 May 2013, 12:15 CET

European aerospace giant EADS said Tuesday its first quarter profits soared 91 percent from a year ago to 241 million euros ($316 million) amid solid demand for its commercial aircraft.

Austria warns against arms shipments to Syrian rebels — 14 May 2013, 12:00 CET

Austria has warned its 26 European Union partners in a letter against providing weapons for rebel movements in the Syrian conflict, said a press report to be published Tuesday.

Pakistan vote step forward, but irregularities: EU — 13 May 2013, 16:19 CET

High turnout in Pakistan's landmark election was a positive step for democracy even though the campaign was marred by violence and irregularities, a European Union observer mission said Monday.

EU warns Syria crisis at 'breaking point', boosts aid — 12 May 2013, 23:26 CET

The European Commission announced on Sunday an additional 65 million euros in aid for Syrian refugees and internally displaced, warning the crisis is "already at breaking point".

EU 'very satisfied' with US-Russia Syria accord — 08 May 2013, 13:08 CET

The European Union on Wednesday said it was "very satisfied" with a joint call from Russia and the United States for a peace conference on Syria.

Israel raids on Syria killed at least 42 soldiers — 06 May 2013, 22:33 CET

Israeli raids on Syrian targets at the weekend killed at least 42 soldiers, a watchdog said Monday, as UN chief Ban Ki-moon and the European Union warned against a spillover of the conflict.

EU warns of 'spillover' threat in Syria region — 06 May 2013, 13:32 CET

The EU's executive on Monday expressed "great concern" following Israeli air strikes against Syrian targets and warned against an escalation of the conflict.

US backs Georgia bid to join NATO, EU — 01 May 2013, 19:22 CET

The United States on Wednesday endorsed the former Soviet republic of Georgia's democratic reforms and bid to join NATO and the EU, amid a power struggle between its president and prime minister.

EU criticies Israel destroying Palestinian structures — 26 April 2013, 21:44 CET

European Union missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah expressed serious concerns on Friday about the demolition this week of 22 structures in eight places across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

EU urges UN probe inside Syria on chemical weapon fears — 26 April 2013, 15:28 CET

The European Union on Friday reiterated a request to Damascus to enable a UN chemical weapons probe in Syria after the United States said for the first time that the regime has probably used such weapons.

Hundreds of fighters going to Syria 'a threat to EU' — 25 April 2013, 14:35 CET

The departure of hundreds of young Europeans to fight in Syria poses "a serious threat" to Europe's security, the EU's anti-terror chief Gilles de Kerchove said on Thursday.

Grim Greek fate for Syrians fleeing civil war — 25 April 2013, 11:06 CET

For most people, it was yet another Aegean Sea tragedy in which a group of would-be migrants in a small boat drowned while trying to reach Greece.

EU plan to buy rebel oil 'act of aggression': Syria — 23 April 2013, 16:37 CET

An EU plan to buy oil from rebel-held areas of Syria is illegal and an "act of aggression," the Syrian foreign ministry warned on Tuesday in letters to the United Nations.

Russia to open air base in Belarus by 2015 — 23 April 2013, 17:40 CET

Russia on Tuesday announced an agreement to open an air base in Belarus by 2015, part of the two post-Soviet neighbours' plan to forge a political and military alliance on the doorstep of the European Union.

Dutch civil servant jailed for spying for Russia — 23 April 2013, 16:11 CET

A Dutch court jailed a former foreign ministry worker for 12 years on Tuesday for passing hundreds of sensitive military documents to Russia, including on NATO's activities in Afghanistan and Libya.

Moscow says EU aid to Syria rebels 'counter-productive' — 22 April 2013, 22:28 CET

Russia said Monday that a decision by the EU to ease an oil embargo against Syria in favour of the rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad was "counter-productive".

EU eases Syria oil embargo in fresh help to rebels — 22 April 2013, 22:25 CET

The European Union offered fresh aid Monday to Syria's opposition, easing an EU oil embargo in favour of the rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad, but stopping short of supplying offensive weapons.

EU set to help Syria's rebels by easing oil embargo — 22 April 2013, 10:50 CET

The European Union is set Monday to ease its oil embargo against Syria in favour of rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad's regime in its latest signal of support to the opposition.