European Security and Defence Policy

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

Britain, France to drum up support to arm Syrian rebels — 22 May 2013, 21:51 CET

French President Francois Hollande and British Prime Minister David Cameron Wednesday said they would seek European support for their proposal to arm the Syrian opposition to fight regime forces.

EU approves Libya border support mission — 22 May 2013, 17:29 CET

EU leaders agreed Wednesday to send a civilian border assistance mission to Libya which should begin operations next month.

Urgent action needed to dodge Syria spillover: EU — 22 May 2013, 16:48 CET

Urgent action is needed to protect countries bordering Syria from spillover from the spiralling civil war there, the EU's aid chief said on Wednesday.

EU denies labelling of settler goods delayed — 20 May 2013, 23:34 CET

The European Union on Monday denied an Israeli media report that it was delaying labelling of products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

Afghan EU envoys push private sector in Herat — 20 May 2013, 17:01 CET

It was an away-day with a difference -- 13 European ambassadors travelling from Kabul to the western city of Herat to prove that business can be conducted outside the Afghan capital.

EU military chief 'confident' about Mali troop training — 18 May 2013, 23:46 CET

The head of the EU military committee said on Saturday he was "confident" in the ability of the first Mali battalion being trained by Europe to battle the Islamist insurgency raging in the north.

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.