European Security and Defence Policy

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

EU greenlights military back-up for Mali — 15 October 2012, 19:33 CET

European Union foreign ministers on Monday approved moves to "urgently" plan for a possible military mission to help Mali reconquer its vast arid north from rebels and Islamist extremists.

EU tightens financial noose on Iran, Syria with new sanctions — 16 October 2012, 00:14 CET

European Union foreign ministers on Monday agreed tough sanctions against Iran, aimed at forcing a breakthrough in talks on Tehran's nuclear programme, and also the regime in war-ravaged Syria.

EU agrees new Syria sanctions, makes no progress with Russia — 15 October 2012, 17:32 CET

EU foreign ministers imposed fresh sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad's regime Monday but failed to iron out differences with Russia over ending a conflict threatening to spill across Syria's borders.

International sanctions on Syria — 15 October 2012, 12:22 CET

An overview of the main international sanctions imposed on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his regime, after the adoption by the European Union on Monday of new sanctions.

EU sanctions 30 Syrian individuals and firms — 15 October 2012, 11:09 CET

The European Union slapped fresh sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad's regime Monday, agreeing an assets freeze and travel ban on 28 Syrians and two firms at a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

Nuclear safety upgrade needed 'nearly everywhere' in Europe — 04 October 2012, 19:41 CET

Immediate safety upgrades costing billions of euros are needed in nuclear power plants "nearly everywhere" in Europe, according to the results of EU "stress tests" released Thursday.

Nuclear stress tests - EU Communication — 04 October 2012, 14:27 CET

The standards of safety of nuclear power plants in Europe are generally high but further improvements in the safety features of almost all European nuclear power plants are recommended. Nevertheless national safety authorities came to the conclusion that no closure of Nuclear Power Plants was warranted. This is the main message of the European Commission communication on results of the nuclear stress tests, published on 4 October. These tests have established that not all safety standards promoted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and not all international best practices are applied in all Member States. The Commission will follow closely the implementation of the recommendations and will at the same time propose legislative measures to further enhance nuclear safety in Europe.

Leading MEP urges EU to impose Syria no-fly zone — 11 September 2012, 18:57 CET

Former Belgian premier and leading European lawmaker Guy Verhofstadt on Tuesday urged European Union intervention in Syria to protect civilians, notably by imposing a no-fly zone against government planes.

Syria conflict raises intervention question: Belgium — 08 September 2012, 11:22 CET

The spiralling conflict in Syria is raising questions about the "duty of intervention", Belgian's Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said during talks with European Union counterparts on Saturday.

EU beefs up Syria aid as spillover fears mount — 07 September 2012, 16:32 CET

EU foreign ministers, holding their first talks since the summer break, on Friday called for a massive boost in aid to Syrian civilians amid mounting fears the humanitarian crisis could impact 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 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.

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 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.

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.

International sanctions on Syria — 25 June 2012, 18:02 CET

An overview of the main international sanctions imposed on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his regime, after the European Union and Australia imposed a new raft of measures on Monday.

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.

EU imposes fresh sanctions on Syria — 26 June 2012, 11:08 CET

The European Union imposed fresh sanctions on President Bashar al-Assad's regime Monday, targeting government ministries and companies, including a bank and a television channel.

EU sets out Syria export banned list, from caviar to viruses — 16 June 2012, 17:45 CET

The European Union announced on Friday that caviar, cigars and leather shoes are among luxury goods that may no longer be exported to Syria, alongside laboratory viruses and gas masks.

Battles in Syria as EU-Russia seek solutions — 05 June 2012, 10:19 CET

Syrian government troops fought deadly battles with armed rebels as the European Union pushed to resolve a split with Russia over how to end the 15-month bloodshed.