European Council

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

Former British finance minister calls for EU exit — 07 May 2013, 22:40 CET

Britain should leave the European Union, former finance minister Nigel Lawson argued Tuesday, fuelling the debate about a referendum on British membership.

Brazil confident on WTO leadership contest outcome — 07 May 2013, 00:21 CET

Brazil said Monday it was confident about the outcome of the contest between its candidate and his Mexican rival to lead the World Trade Organization.

Reform deal stalled in Slovenia — 06 May 2013, 15:24 CET

Slovenia's centre-left coalition on Sunday failed to reach a deal with the opposition over constitutional changes aimed at ensuring the implementation of much-needed fiscal reforms.

Hollande denies discord with Merkel: report — 05 May 2013, 13:41 CET

French President Francois Hollande has contested claims he has put cooperation with Angela Merkel on ice until after Germany's general election and praised the chancellor, a German news weekly reported Sunday.

Barroso defends Merkel on austerity: report — 04 May 2013, 15:10 CET

European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso on Saturday defended German Chancellor Angela Merkel against criticism that she is to blame for harsh austerity measures being implemented across Europe.

Majority of Germans still have faith in euro: poll — 02 May 2013, 22:22 CET

Germans remain confident in the euro but just over a third would welcome a political party critical of the single currency being in parliament, according to a poll released Friday.

Venezuela's Maduro warns Europe of 'political explosion' — 02 May 2013, 16:25 CET

Venezuela's newly elected President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday warned Europe of the risks of "political explosions" as a result of growing economic tensions.

EU assures debt-laden Italy of 'flexibility' — 02 May 2013, 11:15 CET

European Council chief Herman Van Rompuy assures visiting Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta that the European Union will remain "flexible" while debt-laden Rome pursues the goal of sound public finances.

US backs Georgia bid to join NATO, EU — 01 May 2013, 19:22 CET

The United States on Wednesday endorsed the former Soviet republic of Georgia's democratic reforms and bid to join NATO and the EU, amid a power struggle between its president and prime minister.

Hollande says Germany and France must work together — 01 May 2013, 18:22 CET

President Francois Hollande said Wednesday France and Germany must work together whatever "sensitivities" may arise, as the two neighbours struggle to see eye-to-eye over belt-tightening policies.

Europe 'cannot be united by the euro alone': Italy PM — 30 April 2013, 13:11 CET

Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta said Tuesday that European countries cannot be united by the euro alone, but must develop into a political union or risk a slow decline.

President vows wide reforms for financially-hit Cyprus — 29 April 2013, 22:57 CET

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said on Monday that he planned sweeping reforms in a bid to modernise the economically-battered island, including lifting immunity from prosecution for the president and other politicians.

Divisions deepen as tide turns against eurozone austerity — 29 April 2013, 18:59 CET

Eurozone divisions over austerity policies championed by Germany deepened on Monday as Italy's new government joined France in demanding a change of direction for the crisis-hit bloc.

Germany says cooperation with France 'essential' — 29 April 2013, 16:08 CET

Germany on Monday played down criticism by France's ruling Socialists of Chancellor Angela Merkel's insistence on austerity, and said it saw cooperation with Paris as "essential".

Germany says cooperation with France 'essential' — 29 April 2013, 13:07 CET

Germany on Monday played down criticism by France's ruling Socialists of Chancellor Angela Merkel's insistence on austerity, and said it saw cooperation with Paris as "essential".

French ministers warn against picking fight with Germany — 29 April 2013, 13:02 CET

Top French ministers warned Monday against picking a fight with Germany after their Socialist Party accused Chancellor Angela Merkel of being "selfish" in her drive for eurozone austerity.

French ministers warn against picking fight with Germany — 29 April 2013, 10:38 CET

Senior French ministers warned Monday against picking a fight with Germany after the ruling Socialists accused Chancellor Angela Merkel of being "selfish" in her drive for eurozone austerity.

Schaeuble says anti-euro call 'economically insane' — 28 April 2013, 15:42 CET

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said a new anti-euro party "can't be taken seriously" and labelled its core demand "economically insane" in comments published Sunday.

EU vows support to new Italian government — 28 April 2013, 21:00 CET

European Council chief Herman Van Rompuy on Sunday congratulated Italy's new Prime Minister Enrico Letta and vowed continued support from the bloc for Rome's efforts to stave off bankruptcy.

Schaeuble says anti-euro party's demand 'insane' — 28 April 2013, 13:48 CET

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said a new anti-euro party "can't be taken seriously" and labelled its core demand "economically insane" in comments published Sunday.

Vienna eyes banking secrecy deal with EU by May 22 — 28 April 2013, 21:01 CET

Austria hopes to reach a deal with the European Union next month that would preserve banking secrecy for Austrians but open accounts held by foreigners to scrutiny, says Chancellor Werner Faymann.

EU foreign policy chief Ashton holds talks in China — 27 April 2013, 11:41 CET

European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton held talks Saturday with officials in China in the first visit by a top-ranking EU official to the country under its new leadership.

Serbian MPs approve deal on normalising ties with Kosovo — 28 April 2013, 13:50 CET

Serbia's parliament on Friday gave its green light to an EU-brokered deal aimed at normalising ties with former foe Kosovo, a landmark accord already approved by the government.

Austria says will take part in EU tax fraud talks — 26 April 2013, 21:24 CET

Austria said Friday it will take part in EU talks aimed at limiting tax fraud after weeks of holding out on the issue amid severe international criticism of over banking secrecy law.

Serbian parliament to vote on normalising ties with Kosovo — 26 April 2013, 21:19 CET

Serbia's parliament on Friday began debating whether to green light an EU-brokered deal aimed at normalising ties with former foe Kosovo, a landmark accord already approved by the government.