European Council

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

Serbia, Kosovo PMs in new round of EU-sponsored talks — 17 January 2013, 19:40 CET

The premiers of Kosovo and Serbia, Ivica Dacic and Hashim Thaci, met Thursday for a new round of EU-mediated talks aimed at ironing out mutual tensions.

Likely new Dutch Eurogroup boss is austere and unknown — 17 January 2013, 17:52 CET

Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem's reputation as a slightly stuffy bridge-builder will serve him well if, as expected, he becomes the head of the Eurogroup, coordinating austerity policies in the crisis-hit eurozone.

Mali minister at EU talks warns of 'global threat' — 17 January 2013, 15:50 CET

Mali's Foreign Minister Tieman Coulibaly said Thursday that the presence of Islamists linked to Al-Qaeda in the north of the conflict-torn West African state constitutes a "global threat."

The role of the EU military mission to help Mali's army — 17 January 2013, 15:51 CET

The European Union has no defence force of its own and that is not about to change in Mali despite Thursday's decision to provide trainers for the Malian army.

Van Rompuy commits EU summit to disputed budget — 17 January 2013, 19:30 CET

Next month's scheduled summit of EU leaders will be devoted to the bloc's divisive 2014-20 budget, with EU head Herman Van Rompuy confident of a deal after failure in November, EU sources said Thursday.

Britain's Cameron warned against EU exit on eve of speech — 17 January 2013, 15:50 CET

British Prime Minister David Cameron faced last-minute warnings from both his government and the opposition Thursday on the eve of a major speech on relations with the European Union.

Dutch uneasy at role as Cameron's EU reform podium — 17 January 2013, 11:55 CET

The Dutch are increasingly uneasy about Prime Minister David Cameron coming to the Netherlands to make his speech on Britain's future in Europe, with some critics saying he'd be better off staying at home.

EU nations offer new help to push back Mali jihadists — 16 January 2013, 19:49 CET

European Union nations stepped up offers of help in the campaign against Mali's Islamist rebels Wednesday, with Germany and Italy pledging logistical support a day ahead of key crisis talks.

Serbia president rules out UN seat for Kosovo — 16 January 2013, 19:48 CET

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on Wednesday rejected any possibility of Serbia agreeing to breakaway Kosovo's bid to join the United Nations.

Irish PM warns UK exit from EU would be 'catastrophic' — 17 January 2013, 00:27 CET

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny warned Wednesday that a British exit from the EU would be a disaster, after giving a passionately pro-Europe speech to the European Parliament.

Cameron's deputy warns of uncertainty over Europe — 16 January 2013, 11:19 CET

Lawmakers from Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservative Party will on Wednesday issue a "manifesto" spelling out the sweeping changes that need to be made to keep Britain in the European Union.

British PM gambles with risky Europe speech — 16 January 2013, 22:44 CET

British Prime Minister David Cameron gives a long-awaited speech in the Netherlands on Friday that could push his country towards the European exit door and put his own position at risk.

Serbia hints willing to talk about UN seat for Kosovo — 16 January 2013, 11:21 CET

Serbia, which fiercly opposes independence for Kosovo, hinted for the first time on Tuesday that it may give up its opposition to the breakaway territory's bid to join the United Nations.

EU speeds up aid for Palestinians — 15 January 2013, 22:12 CET

The European Union said Tuesday it was speeding up disbursement of aid to help ensure there is no interruption in its support for the Palestinian Authority and UN refugee programmes.

Van Rompuy looks for Feb budget summit: sources — 15 January 2013, 17:48 CET

European Union head Herman Van Rompuy is canvassing member states to decide whether to call a summit next month on the bloc's 2014-20 budget after EU leaders dismally failed to reach a deal in November, EU sources said Tuesday.

Cameron's deputy warns of uncertainty over Europe — 15 January 2013, 13:34 CET

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg warned his boss David Cameron on Tuesday that a prolonged period of uncertainty about Britain's relationship with the EU would have a "chilling effect" on the economy.

British business chiefs urge Cameron to avoid EU isolation — 15 January 2013, 10:58 CET

Prime Minister David Cameron must not risk jeopardising Britain's EU membership and damaging the weak economy, business chiefs warned ahead of the premier's key Europe speech later this week.

Britain's Cameron to make EU speech in Netherlands on Friday — 15 January 2013, 00:42 CET

British Prime Minister David Cameron will give a long-awaited speech on his country's future relationship with the European Union in the Netherlands on Friday, his Downing Street office said.

Ashton confirms Mali crisis talks this week — 14 January 2013, 23:11 CET

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Monday confirmed she had convened an extraordinary meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers to discuss the crisis in Mali.

Britain's Cameron to make EU speech in Netherlands on Friday — 14 January 2013, 19:01 CET

British Prime Minister David Cameron will give a long-awaited speech on his country's future relationship with the European Union in the Netherlands on Friday, his Downing Street office said.

British PM denies 'blackmailing' EU with referendum talk — 14 January 2013, 11:21 CET

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday denied trying to "blackmail" his European partners by threatening to pull out of the EU if he did not get his way on repatriating powers.

British PM 'sleepwalking' towards EU exit: Miliband — 13 January 2013, 23:37 CET

British Prime Minister David Cameron is "sleepwalking" toward an exit from the EU by pushing his plans to repatriate powers from the bloc, opposition leader Ed Miliband said Sunday.

Serbia gets parliament backing for Kosovo talks — 13 January 2013, 23:23 CET

Serbia's parliament early Sunday adopted a document calling for "autonomy" for its Serb minority in Kosovo as a part of EU-backed talks with Pristina.

Macedonians continue anti-government protests — 12 January 2013, 23:01 CET

More than 7,000 Macedonians gathered for fresh protests on Saturday, calling for the resignation of conservative Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and early elections to be held in this former Yugoslav republic.

Gambians stage anti-EU demonstration — 12 January 2013, 13:05 CET

Thousands of Gambians Friday marched in the capital, Banjul to show solidarity with President Yahya Jammeh in his row with the European Union.