European Security and Defence Policy

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

EU to extend Syria sanctions for three months — 28 November 2012, 23:07 CET

The European Union agreed Wednesday to extend its sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad's regime for a further three months, EU diplomats told AFP.

Powers eye December talks with Iran in Turkey — 28 November 2012, 16:45 CET

World powers are proposing to Iran to hold their first round of talks in six months on Tehran's nuclear programme already in the first half of December in Istanbul, diplomatic sources say.

Russia says Quartet 'insufficient' to solve Mideast crisis — 23 November 2012, 10:56 CET

Russia on Friday said the Middle East Quartet is an "insufficient" format for long-term resolution of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, calling on the body to work together with the Arab League.

EU welcomes Gaza ceasefire, urges implementation — 22 November 2012, 10:52 CET

European Union leaders, Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy, on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire proclaimed in Gaza, saying it was "now crucial" to make sure it was implemented.

US still not ready to fully embrace Syrian opposition — 19 November 2012, 21:22 CET

The United States said Monday it is closely monitoring the progress of a new Syrian opposition alliance as it weighs whether to recognize the body as the sole representative of the Syrian people.

EU calls for 'immediate' halt to hostilities — 19 November 2012, 18:17 CET

European Union foreign ministers Monday called for an "immediate" halt to hostilities in Gaza and Israel as a new strike in a sixth day of violence pushed the toll in Gaza to over 100.

Turkey to ask for NATO support on border with Syria — 19 November 2012, 14:33 CET

Turkey is expected to ask NATO Monday to deploy Patriot anti-missile batteries along its border with Syria as European Union ministers explore ways of assisting Syria's new opposition coalition.

Iran asks UN, EU to halt 'barbaric' Israel assault on Gaza — 15 November 2012, 22:05 CET

Iran called on the United Nations and the European Union on Thursday to halt Israel's "barbaric" offensive against the Gaza Strip.

Swiss experts to clear Philippine bombs — 15 November 2012, 09:59 CET

Swiss experts will soon begin clearing unexploded bombs in the southern Philippines, after Muslim rebels and the government signed a peace pact, the European Union said Thursday.

France says will ask EU to re-examine Syrian arms embargo — 15 November 2012, 09:59 CET

France will raise the issue of excluding defensive weapons from the current arms embargo on Syria to help rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad's regime, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Thursday.

Syrian opposition leader calls for arming of rebels — 13 November 2012, 16:44 CET

The leader of Syria's new main opposition coalition called on world powers on Tuesday to arm rebels with "specialised weapons" as European Union and Arab League ministers met in Cairo.

EU diplomats welcome Syria opposition bloc — 13 November 2012, 14:45 CET

European Union foreign ministers meeting in Cairo on Tuesday welcomed a newly formed Syrian opposition bloc but declined to recognise the alliance, instead urging it to bring in more regime dissenters.

EU voices concern over deadly Gaza flare-up — 12 November 2012, 12:06 CET

The European Union voiced concern Monday about the latest flare-up of deadly violence on the Israeli-Gaza border and called on both sides to show restraint.

EU regrets Israel to build 1,213 new settlement homes — 08 November 2012, 17:56 CET

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Thursday criticised Israel for offering tenders this week for the construction of 1,213 new homes in settlement neighbourhoods of east Jerusalem.

Clinton to push Balkans for greater integration — 28 October 2012, 21:04 CET

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leaves Sunday on a trip to the Balkans where she will urge Serbia and Kosovo to overcome bitter differences and integrate fully with the EU and NATO.

EU contacts Iran over nuclear dispute — 25 October 2012, 19:41 CET

The EU, leading diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute over Iran's nuclear programme, has talked to Tehran to bring it up to date on the latest discussions, officials said Thursday.

Germany ready to train Mali forces, not send combat troops — 23 October 2012, 16:55 CET

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Tuesday pledged to support efforts to stabilise Mali, where armed Islamists have seized control of the north, but ruled out sending combat troops.

Ashton on five-day Middle East tour — 22 October 2012, 17:47 CET

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton toured a Syrian refugee camp in Jordan on Monday and held talks with King Abdullah II on the first leg of a five-day Middle East tour.

Israel PM vows to continue building in Jerusalem — 21 October 2012, 19:31 CET

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday pledged to continue unhindered construction in Jerusalem, including in its annexed eastern sector, despite criticism from the European Union.

EU 'regrets' Israeli settlement plan — 20 October 2012, 11:33 CET

The European Union's foreign policy chief on Thursday criticised Israel's plan to build hundreds of homes in annexed east Jerusalem and called for it to hold fresh talks with the Palestinians.

NATO, EU praise Georgia's democracy after vote — 18 October 2012, 17:14 CET

NATO and the EU praised Georgia on Thursday for elections which saw a peaceful power transfer from President Mikheil Saakashvili's party to a coalition led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili.

BBC services jammed in Middle East, Europe — 18 October 2012, 17:04 CET

The BBC said Thursday its services in the Middle East and Europe were being deliberately jammed, along with those of other broadcasters.

Russia says November Iran nuclear talks 'realistic' — 18 October 2012, 12:03 CET

Russia said Thursday it was "realistic" to hold direct talks next month between Iran's chief negotiator and six-nation representative Catherine Ashton over the Islamic republic's nuclear drive.

Russia says 'very concerned' by new EU Iran sanctions — 17 October 2012, 22:09 CET

Russia said Wednesday it is "very concerned" by new EU sanctions against Iran, which it claimed will work against talks on Tehran's contested nuclear programme.

New EU sanctions help 'terrorist groups': ministry — 17 October 2012, 19:50 CET

Fresh EU sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad's regime are "a new link in a chain of actions that lend political, economic and media support... to armed terrorist groups," a foreign ministry official said Wednesday.