European Security and Defence Policy

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

Aid groups need more access inside Syria — 27 September 2012, 11:23 CET

Aid groups in Syria need better access to people ravaged by the war between government forces and the rebels who are fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad, the EU said on Wednesday.

EU mulls 'full' financial freeze, shipping ban on Iran — 26 September 2012, 00:07 CET

EU nations are discussing a British sanctions proposal against Iran that notably calls for a ban on shipping and "full" freeze on financial transactions with Iran's central bank, European diplomats said Tuesday.

'Step up pressure' on Iran, say Britain, France, Germany — 24 September 2012, 13:47 CET

Britain, France and Germany urged their European Union partners "to further step up the pressure" on Iran by agreeing new sanctions to undermine its nuclear drive, in a joint letter seen by AFP on Monday.

Iran's top negotiator says Istanbul nuclear talks 'fruitful' — 19 September 2012, 13:00 CET

Iran's top nuclear negotiator said Wednesday he had a "fruitful" meeting in Istanbul with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and voiced hope it would help resolve the standoff with the West.

Ashton to consult with UN after Iran nuclear talks — 19 September 2012, 11:07 CET

The top negotiator with Iran over its disputed nuclear drive said Wednesday that she would consult with UN partners in New York after face-to-face talks overnight with Iran's Saeed Jalili.

EU invites Russia's Lavrov for Syria talks — 18 September 2012, 17:27 CET

European Union foreign ministers have invited Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov for "substantial" talks next month on the situation in Syria, EU diplomats said Tuesday.

EU voices 'great concern' for Palestinian hunger strikers — 14 September 2012, 23:36 CET

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton expressed "great concern" Friday over the fate of three Palestinians on hunger strike in Israeli detention after the ICRC warned they risked death.

Egypt's Morsi repeats that Assad must step down — 13 September 2012, 12:28 CET

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi reiterated during a visit to the EU on Thursday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must step down as "a president that kills his own people is not acceptable."

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.

Russia ups to EUR 1bn claim over Bulgaria nuclear deal — 11 September 2012, 11:37 CET

Russia has raised to one billion euros its compensation claim against Bulgaria over Sofia's decision to drop a deal for a Russian firm to build a new nuclear power plant.

Iran slams talk of more sanctions as 'irresponsible' — 09 September 2012, 20:01 CET

Iran on Sunday hit out at talk of more EU sanctions being applied against it as "irresponsible," singling out Britain for raising the prospect it claimed went against UN nuclear watchdog regulations.

EU threatens new Iran sanctions despite Russia grumblings — 08 September 2012, 16:23 CET

European Union nations waved the threat of new international sanctions against Iran over its contested nuclear drive on Saturday, as Russia complained such measures harm its interests.

EU 'consensus' to beef up Syria sanctions — 08 September 2012, 16:21 CET

EU foreign ministers agreed on the need to beef up sanctions against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime at talks in Cyprus on Saturday, said Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis.

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 heading towards new Iran sanctions — 08 September 2012, 00:42 CET

European Union nations are exploring a new raft of sanctions against Iran as exasperation mounts over blocked talks on the country's contested nuclear programme.

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 offers EUR 50m in extra aid for Syria — 07 September 2012, 14:50 CET

The European Commission warned Friday that the conflict in Syria is worsening and announced another 50 million euros in humanitarian aid to help civilians caught up in the violence.

Britain urges EU to strengthen Iran sanctions — 08 September 2012, 00:35 CET

British Foreign Secretary William Hague urged the European Union on Friday to step up the pressure on Iran over its controversial nuclear drive by beefing up sanctions.

Ashton urges UN Security Council to back Brahimi — 05 September 2012, 17:01 CET

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Wednesday urged the UN Security Council to provide new UN-Arab League envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, "the support he requires."

Fresh nuclear talks with Iran within 'days': EU negotiator — 30 August 2012, 16:32 CET

Fresh talks with world powers on Iran's disputed nuclear drive will be held "in the coming days," the spokesman for EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said on Thursday.

EU condemns Syria Daraya 'massacre' — 27 August 2012, 14:16 CET

The European Union condemned on Monday a "massacre" in the town of Daraya near Damascus, Syria, where rebels reported the discovery of hundreds of bodies.

Japan Tobacco says facing EU probe over Syria — 22 August 2012, 23:27 CET

Japan Tobacco says it is being probed by the European Union after a report it broke sanctions by shipping cigarettes to a firm linked to the Syrian regime, but denies any wrongdoing.

Russia refuses to comply with ship inspections over Syria — 29 July 2012, 23:35 CET

Russia said Saturday it would not cooperate with a new round of European Union sanctions against Syria and would not consent to inspections of ships flying the Russian flag.

Russia condemns new EU sanctions as Syria 'blockade' — 25 July 2012, 13:20 CET

Russia condemned on Wednesday a new round of EU sanctions against Syria over the prolonged conflict with the opposition as amounting to an air and sea "blockade" of its Soviet-era ally.

EU-Iran officials hold talks on nuclear row — 24 July 2012, 22:53 CET

European and Iranian diplomats appeared to make little headway as they met in Turkey on Tuesday in a bid to seek common ground in the protracted negotiations on Tehran's disputed nuclear drive.