European Council

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

China central banker backs euro, vows more support — 15 February 2012, 06:37 CET

China's top central banker Wednesday expressed confidence in the euro and pledged to continue buying European sovereign debt, as the Asian giant seeks to shore up support for its biggest trading partner.

EU looks at Scottish breakaway bid with intrigue — 14 February 2012, 16:00 CET

When British Prime Minister David Cameron enters Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond's lair this week, fellow EU leaders trying to prevent their own nations from splitting will look on with interest.

China will not protect Syrian government: Wen — 14 February 2012, 13:57 CET

China will not protect the regime of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, Premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday, after Beijing drew international ire for vetoing a UN resolution on the country.

China says ready to help solve EU debt crisis — 14 February 2012, 20:57 CET

China's Premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday his country was ready to increase its participation in efforts to resolve Europe's debt crisis, after holding talks with EU leaders in Beijing.

EU companies need better access in China: Van Rompuy — 14 February 2012, 12:37 CET

EU president Herman Van Rompuy called Tuesday for improved market access for European companies in China, after holding talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

Europe crisis tops agenda as China, EU leaders meet — 14 February 2012, 10:13 CET

Chinese and EU leaders met Tuesday for a major summit set to be dominated by Europe's debt crisis, as an increasingly worried Beijing considers coming to the rescue of the embattled continent.

Europe crisis tops agenda as China, EU leaders meet — 14 February 2012, 06:32 CET

Chinese and EU leaders will meet Tuesday for a major summit set to be dominated by Europe's debt crisis, as an increasingly worried Beijing considers coming to the rescue of the embattled continent.

Brazil, Germany press for EU-Mercosur trade deal — 14 February 2012, 10:15 CET

Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota and his visiting German counterpart Guido Westerwelle on Monday called for signing a free trade agreement between the European Union and the South American trade bloc Mercosur.

China, EU leaders to discuss eurozone in key summit — 13 February 2012, 22:57 CET

Chinese and European Union leaders will gather Tuesday for a summit likely to be dominated by Europe's debt crisis, as Beijing considers stepping in to help resolve the continent's financial woes.

China has no plans to 'buy out Europe': state media — 13 February 2012, 09:44 CET

China has no intention to "buy out Europe", a top state-run newspaper said Monday, reiterating comments made by Premier Wen Jiabao ahead of a major summit with the European Union in Beijing.

EU's Ashton calls for 'one voice' against Syria violence — 11 February 2012, 00:32 CET

The world must stand united in demanding a halt to violence in Syria and for President Bashar al-Assad to step down, the European Union's top diplomat Catherine Ashton said Friday.

EU pressures India over Iran nuclear programme — 10 February 2012, 15:16 CET

The EU on Friday pushed India to use its influence to get Iran to resume talks over its disputed nuclear drive, a day after New Delhi said it wanted to boost trade with the Islamic republic.

Iran, free trade pact top EU-India summit agenda — 09 February 2012, 23:13 CET

The European Union looks set to push India at a summit Friday to use its commercial and diplomatic influence to try to bring Iran back to the negotiating table over its disputed nuclear programme.

Greece hopeful on eurozone bailout: minister — 09 February 2012, 09:17 CET

Greece is hopeful that eurozone finance ministers will take a "positive decision" Thursday on a key bailout package, finance minister Evangelos Venizelos said before heading for the talks.

EU has no plans to recall envoy in Syria — 07 February 2012, 13:35 CET

The European Union has no plans to withdraw its head of delegation from Syria, a spokesman said Tuesday, stressing that the EU needs a presence there to "report and observe".

Crisis could push Europe to 'early grave': Australia — 04 February 2012, 22:40 CET

Australia's foreign minister launched a fierce broadside at Europe Saturday, saying the financial crisis has caused it to turn in on itself and warning it risked an "early grave" amid Asia's rise.

Europe remains Washington's 'essential partner': Clinton — 04 February 2012, 12:40 CET

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Saturday that Europe remains Washington's "partner of first resort," even as the United States marks a strategic pivot to Asia.

Clinton arrives for security talks in Munich — 04 February 2012, 12:39 CET

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived here Friday for international security talks where aides said she would send a "strong message of support" for ties with Europe as Washington makes a strategic pivot to Asia.

EU's Ashton to visit Brazil for Syria, Iran talks — 03 February 2012, 18:29 CET

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will begin an official visit to Brazil Sunday for wide-ranging talks, notably on the civil strife in Syria and the Iranian nuclear crisis, the foreign ministry said Friday.

Europe has 'nothing to fear' from US focus on Asia: Germany — 03 February 2012, 18:31 CET

Europe should not fear a renewed US focus on Asia and must increasingly look after its own backyard militarily without its historic ally, Germany's defence minister said on Friday.

Germany's Merkel says euro made Europe stronger — 02 February 2012, 10:42 CET

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday that the euro had "made Europe stronger", as she began a visit to China aimed in part at reassuring Beijing that the eurozone debt crisis is under control.

New EU Kosovo envoy says north main challenge — 01 February 2012, 15:01 CET

Kosovo's biggest challenge is integrating the ethnic Serb population in the north of the territory, the European Union's newly-appointed representative to Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, said Wednesday.

Czech PM's 'no' for EU fiscal pact raises heat at home — 31 January 2012, 23:05 CET

Parties in the Czech Republic's ruling coalition locked horns Tuesday after Prime Minister Petr Necas refused to join the European Union's crucial new fiscal discipline deal.

Euro crisis to top agenda of Merkel's visit to China — 31 January 2012, 16:22 CET

The eurozone debt crisis, Iran and Syria will be among the topics up for discussion when German Chancellor Angela Merkel makes a two-day trip to China this week, government sources said Tuesday.

With friends like these: British PM in Europe balancing act — 31 January 2012, 11:17 CET

A month after he became the lonely man of Europe, British Prime Minister David Cameron's efforts to win friends and influence people met with mixed results at the latest summit in Brussels.