European Security and Defence Policy

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

EU to help refugees as Syria war escalates — 23 July 2012, 19:42 CET

As tens of thousands of Syrians flee escalating war and chaos, the EU mulled ways of boosting humanitarian aid while beefing up sanctions and tightening an arms embargo against the regime Monday.

EU ready to evacuate nationals from Syria if necessary — 24 July 2012, 10:40 CET

The European Union is ready to evacuate its nationals from Syria via Cyprus if necessary and is watching the situation closely, EU officials said on Monday.

EU ministers slam 'monstrous' Syria chemical weapons threat — 23 July 2012, 19:42 CET

European Union foreign ministers branded as "monstrous" and "unacceptable" a threat by Syria on Monday that it would resort to the use of chemical weapons in case of a foreign attack.

EU should step up joint defence drive, France says — 23 July 2012, 17:40 CET

The European Union should step up its drive to forge a joint defence policy for the 27-nation bloc, French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Monday.

International sanctions on Syria — 23 July 2012, 15:02 CET

An overview of the main international sanctions imposed on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his regime, after the European Union on Monday beefed up its sanctions and agreed to tighten an arms embargo.

EU to help refugees as Syria war escalates — 23 July 2012, 13:36 CET

As tens of thousands of Syrians flee escalating war and chaos, the EU looked at ways of boosting humanitarian relief and beefed up sanctions and an arms embargo against the regime Monday.

EU beefs up Syria sanctions, tightens arms embargo — 24 July 2012, 10:42 CET

The EU beefed up sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad's regime on Monday and agreed to tighten an arms embargo by inspecting vessels and planes suspected of carrying arms.

France's Fabius confirms EU planning new Syria sanctions — 20 July 2012, 15:39 CET

The European Union will slap new sanctions against Syria next week, including a tighter arms embargo, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Friday, confirming earlier reports.

EU regrets failure of UN Syria sanctions, backs Annan plan — 20 July 2012, 15:38 CET

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Friday she regretted the defeat of yet another UN resolution to sanction Syria amid escalating violence in the country.

EU preparing more Syria sanctions — 19 July 2012, 19:32 CET

The EU is preparing to freeze the assets of 26 Syrians close to President Bashar al-Assad while readying plans to board vessels and planes suspected of transporting arms for his regime.

EU urged to prepare for humanitarian crisis in Syria — 18 July 2012, 20:36 CET

The European Union needs to prepare for a humanitarian crisis in Syria with the potential for displacing huge numbers of people, Cyprus, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, said Wednesday.

Syria attack shows 'urgent need' for UN action: Ashton — 18 July 2012, 20:38 CET

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Wednesday's bomb attack in Damascus highlighted the "urgent need" for a UN peace plan for Syria.

Lithuania to hold referendum on new nuclear plant — 16 July 2012, 18:37 CET

Lithuania's parliament on Monday called a referendum on plans for an atomic power plant to replace a Soviet-era facility closed under the terms of Lithuania's entry into the EU.

EU condemns violence along Syria-Lebanon border — 08 July 2012, 20:12 CET

The European Union's top diplomat lashed out at Syria on Sunday over its deadly rocket fire along the border that left two girls dead and 10 other people wounded in northern Lebanon.

Ashton heads for EU-China talks in Beijing — 08 July 2012, 13:17 CET

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton left Sunday for Beijing where she will hold talks on foreign affairs and security issues on the first leg of a five-day Asian tour.

Ashton to attend EU-China Dialogue in Beijing — 07 July 2012, 14:27 CET

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will visit Beijing on Monday and Tuesday for talks aimed at boosting coordination on foreign affairs and security, a European diplomatic source said.

Technical talks on Iran nuclear row open in Istanbul — 03 July 2012, 11:52 CET

Technical experts from Iran and major world powers gathered Tuesday in Istanbul for closed door talks on Tehran's disputed nuclear programme, a European diplomat said.

EU oil embargo on Iran comes into effect — 02 July 2012, 00:29 CET

A European Union embargo on Iranian oil went into effect on Sunday, provoking anger in Tehran which says the measure will hurt talks with world powers over its sensitive nuclear activities.

EU says Iran oil embargo will be enforced July 1 — 25 June 2012, 19:50 CET

The European Union confirmed Monday that a ban on oil imports from Iran will go ahead as planned on July 1 due to the lack of progress in talks on Tehran's contested nuclear drive.

Central European nations agree to set up joint combat force — 04 May 2012, 21:12 CET

Defence ministers from Visegrad Group states grouping the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia agreed Friday to create a 3,000-strong joint combat unit to be put at the EU's disposal.

Iran, world powers next talks May 23 in Baghdad: EU — 14 April 2012, 20:57 CET

Iran and world powers agreed in nuclear talks Saturday to hold another, more in-depth meeting in Baghdad on May 23, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said after "constructive" discussions here.

No Iranian response yet on mooted US meeting: source — 14 April 2012, 16:22 CET

Iran's delegation at crunch nuclear talks here on Saturday has not yet said whether it is willing to hold what would be rare bilateral discussions with their US counterparts, an Iranian source told AFP.

Iran talks with world powers 'positive': EU — 14 April 2012, 15:42 CET

Iran's talks Saturday with six world powers aimed at easing tensions over Tehran's nuclear programme were faring much better than the last failed attempt, with prospects good for another round, the European Union said.

Eyeing nuclear talks, Iran plays hard ball over oil — 11 April 2012, 16:27 CET

Just days before crucial talks with world powers on its disputed nuclear programme, Iran was presenting a defiant face on Wednesday, announcing the halt of oil exports to EU nations and warning the West to drop its "language of force."

Europe's armed forces team up on refuelling aircraft — 22 March 2012, 17:42 CET

European defence ministers facing shrinking budgets agreed Thursday to join forces to get more air-to-air refuelling planes, deploy extra field hospitals and exploit "green" energy.