European Council

Latest news from the Council of the European Union.

'Sad moment' as leaders endorse UK withdrawal agreement — 25 November 2018, 17:08 CET

EU leaders endorsed the Brexit withdrawal agreement Sunday as presented by the negotiators of the EU and the UK, declaring this a "sad moment" but saying that the deal was "the only deal possible".

EU continues to strengthen defence capability — 22 November 2018, 00:34 CET

The EU Council underlined its desire to enhance its strategic autonomy and capacity to act as security provider Monday, agreeing a number of projects under its PESCO defence cooperation programme.

EU & UK will have "full control" of their own legislation — 20 November 2018, 18:09 CET

As the EU reaches a "decisive moment" in the Brexit process, both the EU and the UK will have "full control" of their own legislation and rule-making, according to the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier.

Differences remain on EU digital service tax — 07 November 2018, 15:42 CET

EU finance ministers meeting Tuesday have some way to go before they can agree on the digital service tax directive, aimed at addressing the most urgent gaps and loopholes in the taxation of digital activities.

Council clarifies position on EU plastics ban — 06 November 2018, 14:07 CET

EU Member States agreed their position Wednesday on a proposal to ban single-use plastics, clarifying the products covered and proposing that producers of plastic items cover the costs of litter clean-up.

EU leaders ready to extend Brexit transition period — 18 October 2018, 22:51 CET

EU leaders at a summit in Brussels to review progress on Brexit talks declared their readiness Thursday to consider any British proposal to extend the two-year transition period once the UK leaves the EU.

EU Council agrees on new emissions targets for cars and vans — 11 October 2018, 21:24 CET

EU environment ministers reached agreement Wednesday on a proposed regulation to set stricter CO2 emission standards for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.

Ministers make progress on VAT reform and fight against fraud — 02 October 2018, 23:46 CET

EU finance ministers agreed Tuesday on new rules to exchange more information and boost cooperation on criminal VAT fraud, as well as measures to cut VAT compliance burdens for companies.

EU finance ministers agree lower VAT for e-publications — 04 October 2018, 18:23 CET

Ministers agreed to allow EU states to apply reduced, 'super-reduced' or zero VAT rates to electronic publications Tuesday, thereby allowing alignment of VAT rules for electronic and physical publications.

EU reaches out to Asia with infrastructure plan — 20 September 2018, 23:55 CET

The EU Commission and foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini adopted a Joint Communication Wednesday setting out a vision for a new and comprehensive strategy to better connect Europe and Asia.

EU leaders reject Britain's 'Chequers plan' for Brexit — 21 September 2018, 22:22 CET

EU leaders at a summit Thursday rejected the 'Chequers plan' of UK prime minister Theresa May, saying its framework for economic cooperation would not work, and risked undermining the single market.

EU urges China to play by the rules on trade — 17 July 2018, 18:32 CET

China needs to take responsibility for global problems of overcapacity in the steel and aluminium sectors, and conform to stricter rules on state aid, the European Union said at a summit in Beijing Monday.

Trump criticised as NATO strengthens cooperation with EU — 10 July 2018, 20:36 CET

"Appreciate your allies, after all you don't have that many," EU Council president Tusk told US president Trump Tuesday, as NATO and the EU signed a joint declaration to strengthen military cooperation.

Migration top priority as Austria takes over EU presidency — 03 July 2018, 18:02 CET

"A Europe that protects" is the motto of the Austrian presidency of the Council of the EU, which the country took over from Bulgaria on 1 July, putting migration and security issues at the top of its priority list.

EU summit pledges solidarity in deal on migration — 29 June 2018, 11:57 CET

The EU summit agreed Friday to strengthen European solidarity in face of the migration crisis, calling for further measures to stem illegal migration and 'disembarkation platforms' for people saved at sea.

EU states confirm 2030 renewable energy target — 29 June 2018, 11:55 CET

EU states gave the green light Wednesday to a provisional agreement on the revision of the renewable energy directive, with a headline target of 32% energy from renewable sources at EU level for 2030.

EU finance ministers close deficit procedure against France — 25 June 2018, 14:01 CET

EU finance ministers closed the excessive deficit procedure for France Friday, confirming its deficit has dropped below 3% of GDP. They also issued budgetary recommendations to Hungary and Romania.

EU extends sanctions against Russia over Crimea — 19 June 2018, 20:32 CET

EU ministers decided to extend sanctions against Russia for another year Monday, as the EU continued to punish Russia for the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sebastopol.

EU budget for external action — 14 June 2018, 18:56 CET

For the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027, the European Commission is proposing to increase the external action budget to €123 billion, with plans to simplify its structure and make it much more flexible and effective to address today's global challenges.

World leaders at G7 not impressed by Trump — 11 June 2018, 12:44 CET

World leaders apart from U.S. president Donald Trump committed at the G7 summit in Canada this weekend to fight protectionism and defend the rules-based international trading system.

Summit reinforces EU links with Western Balkans — 17 May 2018, 23:20 CET

A summit between leaders of the Western Balkans and the EU ended Thursday confirming the region's 'European perspective' and a strengthening of cooperation in connectivity, security and the rule of law.

EU moves to tighten cooperation with Cuba — 16 May 2018, 13:02 CET

The EU-Cuba Joint Council met for the first time Tuesday, discussing implementation of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement which has been provisionally applied since November 2017.

EU foreign ministers call for relaunch of Syria peace talks — 18 April 2018, 00:01 CET

The parties involved in the Syrian conflict need to relaunch a political solution in the framework of the UN-led Geneva process, EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said at a Council meeting Monday.

EU continues dialogue with Turkey over rule of law — 28 March 2018, 11:54 CET

EU leaders conveyed continued concern over the rule of law in Turkey Monday, as Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined them for a wide-ranging discussion on EU-Turkey relations and the way ahead.

EU seeks permanent exemption from U.S. steel tariffs — 23 March 2018, 17:31 CET

EU leaders at a summit called on the US Friday to make permanent the temporary exemption from US steel and aluminium tariffs, saying they were an "inappropriate remedy" for global problems of overcapacity.