European Council

Latest news from the Council of the European Union - on EUbusiness.com.

British row over leaked EU deficit report — 16 March 2010, 23:33 CET

Britain's Labour government came under fire from opposition Conservatives on Tuesday as a leaked European Commission report suggested that the public deficit needs cutting faster than anticipated.

Syria: timing of accord depends on EU 'flexibility' — 16 March 2010, 17:45 CET

Syria said on Tuesday it will soon restart talks with the European Union on a stalled partnership agreement, but that its timing will depend on the flexibility shown to Damascus over certain points.

EU pulls hedge fund curbs, amid British opposition — 17 March 2010, 00:00 CET

Plans for European finance ministers to vote through new laws curbing highly speculative investment fund managers were ditched at the last minute on Tuesday amid opposition from Britain, officials said.

Spain presses 'two-state' solution in talks with Barak — 16 March 2010, 23:42 CET

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos insisted Tuesday on the need for a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict during a meeting with Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

EU to cooperate on fighting tax evasion — 17 March 2010, 00:39 CET

At a meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council today, finance ministers adopted a draft EU directive on strenghtening mutual assistance between Member States in the recovery of taxes.

Serbia wants UN to speak for Kosovo at EU-Balkan summit — 14 March 2010, 18:57 CET

Serbia will only participate in an upcoming EU-Balkans summit if Kosovo attends under the banner of the UN Mission in Kosovo, Serbian President Boris Tadic said on Sunday.

EU ready to take unilateral sanctions against Tehran: Kouchner — 14 March 2010, 23:23 CET

The European Union is ready to unilaterally impose new sanctions on Iran over its disputed nuclear programme, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner confirmed on Sunday.

Finland moots EU sanctions on Iran — 13 March 2010, 15:17 CET

The European Union will unilaterally impose new sanctions on Iran over its disputed nuclear programme if there is no consensus at the UN, Finland's foreign minister said Saturday.

Turkish PM to visit Britain — 12 March 2010, 17:22 CET

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Britain next week for talks on his country's struggling bid to join the European Union and the Cyprus conflict, his office said Friday.

Albania ready for probe into organ trafficking claims — 12 March 2010, 17:02 CET

Albania is ready to open a full probe into alleged trafficking of organs taken from Serb prisoners at the end of the 1998-99 Kosovo conflict, Albanian Foreign Minister Ilir Meta said on Friday.

Serbia, Albania pledge cooperation despite Kosovo — 12 March 2010, 00:07 CET

Serbia and Albania, deeply divided over the independence of Kosovo, pledged Thursday to improve their relations as they both seek to join the European Union.

EU must be firm in opposition to Israeli homes plan: Spain — 11 March 2010, 22:52 CET

The EU must be firm in its opposition to the Israeli government's decision to approve the construction of new homes for Jewish settlers in east Jerusalem, Spain's Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said Thursday.

Switzerland urged to rescind ban on Libyans' entry — 10 March 2010, 22:42 CET

Libya's UN envoy appealed to Switzerland Wednesday to rescind a "blacklist" of 188 Libyans, including leader Moamer Kadhafi, banned from entering Swiss territory over a festering diplomatic row.

EU's Ashton urges end to Brussels in-fighting — 10 March 2010, 14:22 CET

European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton on Wednesday urged Brussels powerbrokers to give up their traditional fiefdoms and allow her to do her job unfettered.

EU calls on Israel top reverse settlement decision — 10 March 2010, 18:10 CET

European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton on Wednesday urged Israel to reverse a decision to build new homes in occupied east Jerusalem that she warned could throttle peace talks.

Kosovo to attend EU-Balkans summit as a a state: PM — 09 March 2010, 18:57 CET

Kosovo will attend an EU-Balkans summit as a fully fledged state and equal to other participants from the region including Serbia, which opposes its independence, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said Tuesday.

Merkel renews push for 'sanctions' under Euro rescue fund — 10 March 2010, 00:45 CET

German Chancellor Angela Merkel insisted Tuesday that plans for a European Monetary Fund will only work if strengthened "sanctions" are incorporated to penalise wayward spenders.

EU's first 100 days under Lisbon treaty get mixed report — 10 March 2010, 00:44 CET

A hundred days after the EU's reforming Lisbon Treaty went into effect, creating a president and a foreign affairs chief, teething troubles persist with scant sign of a common European voice.

Slovenia PM presses Kosovo, Serbia to attend Balkans summit — 08 March 2010, 21:12 CET

Slovenia wants both Kosovo and Serbia to attend an EU-Balkans summit later this month despite their dispute over the status of the breakaway territory, the Slovenian prime minister said Monday.

EU demands more rights progress from Morocco — 07 March 2010, 20:09 CET

EU president Herman Van Rompuy called on Morocco during a summit Sunday to make progress in respecting human rights, including in the disputed Western Sahara region.

Kosovo PM rejects talks on status — 06 March 2010, 18:02 CET

Kosovo will join the European Union and NATO as a whole, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said, brushing off any new talks over its status, disputed by Serbia, Beta news agency reported on Saturday.

EU foreign ministers in show of support for Ashton — 06 March 2010, 23:42 CET

European foreign ministers Saturday gave a show of support for beleaguered EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton, hoping to move forward with the building of a new diplomatic service.

EU's Ashton wants to visit Gaza amid push for peace talks — 06 March 2010, 15:37 CET

EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said Saturday she hopes to get into the Palestinian Gaza Strip during a Middle East trip this month, as Europe pushes for renewed peace talks.

EU foreign ministers in show of support for Ashton — 06 March 2010, 13:42 CET

European foreign ministers on Saturday gave a show of support for beleaguered EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton, hoping to move forward with the building of a new diplomatic service.

Kosovo PM rejects talks on status — 06 March 2010, 13:27 CET

Kosovo will join the European Union and NATO as a whole, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said, brushing off any new talks over its status, disputed by Serbia, Beta news agency reported on Saturday.