European Council

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

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.

Austrian chancellor attacks Britain's Cameron over EU — 12 January 2013, 13:05 CET

Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann launched a broadside Friday at Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron, accusing him of sending mixed messages when it comes to the European Union.

EU must change if it wants Britain as member: Osborne — 11 January 2013, 18:47 CET

Britain's finance minister George Osborne told a German newspaper Friday that the European Union must change the way it deals with its member states if it aims to keep Britain in its ranks.

Allies urge Britain to stay in EU — 10 January 2013, 19:47 CET

British Prime Minister David Cameron faces warnings from the United States, Germany and his own coalition partners about London's plans to renegotiate its relationship with the EU.

Armenia eases visa rules for EU countries — 10 January 2013, 13:41 CET

Armenia on Thursday lifted visa requirements for EU travellers in a bid to build closer ties with the 27-nation bloc and balance Moscow's sway on the ex-Soviet state.

US urges Britain to keep strong voice in Europe — 10 January 2013, 17:51 CET

Britain is trying to play down embarrassing comments by its closest ally the United States expressing concern about London's plans to renegotiate its relationship with the EU.

EU leaders want UK in union, but not treaty change — 09 January 2013, 22:54 CET

European leaders on Wednesday stressed the importance of keeping Britain in the EU, but said they opposed treaty changes demanded by Prime Minister David Cameron.

EU wants dialogue with Gambia — 09 January 2013, 22:54 CET

The European Union insisted Wednesday that it wanted dialogue with Gambia after President Yahya Jammeh charged that it was trying to destabilise his country by insisting on respect for human rights.

Deal on Irish bank debt is EU presidency priority — 09 January 2013, 22:54 CET

Dealing with the scale of the Irish banking debt is a priority of Ireland's EU presidency, Prime Minister Enda Kenny said Wednesday.

Belgrade seeks autonomy for Kosovo's Serb minority — 09 January 2013, 17:34 CET

Serbia will ask for "autonomy" for its Serb minority in breakaway Kosovo as part of EU-backed talks with Pristina, Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said Wednesday.

British business leaders warn Cameron over risks of EU exit — 09 January 2013, 14:28 CET

Major British business figures warn Prime Minister David Cameron that the renegotiation of the country's relationship with Europe could risk its exit from the EU, with "damaging" consequences for the economy and businesses.

Jammeh accuses EU of trying to destabilise Gambia — 09 January 2013, 00:10 CET

Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh on Tuesday accused the European Union, which has urged him to respect human rights, of trying to destabilise his country and blackmail him "with chicken change."

Bahrain condemned for 'harsh' activist sentences — 08 January 2013, 21:37 CET

The United Nations and the European Union on Tuesday slammed a decision by Bahrain's highest appeals court to uphold lengthy prison terms against opposition activists.

Ireland hopes Britain will stay in EU — 08 January 2013, 21:39 CET

Ireland hopes Britain will not turn its back on the European Union but it must abide by the same conditions as other member states, Irish deputy prime minister Eamon Gilmore said on Tuesday.

Britain's Cameron says wants to be PM until 2020 — 07 January 2013, 17:52 CET

David Cameron said Sunday he wanted to serve as British prime minister until at least 2020 to oversee a range of reforms including a renegotiation of Britain's relationship with Europe.

Turkey's EU membership is not a 'given': Swedish FM — 06 January 2013, 17:57 CET

Turkey's prospect of joining the European Union at the end of a lengthy process is not a certainty, Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt told AFP Sunday, saying efforts would have to be made by both Ankara and Brussels.

Turkey claims progress in EU bid despite Brussels criticism — 31 December 2012, 13:40 CET

Turkey claimed Monday it has made progress over the last year toward accession to the European Union, rejecting accusations by the bloc against its human rights record and reform efforts.

Serb nationalist regime turns a step closer to EU — 30 December 2012, 13:40 CET

Serbia's new government, a coalition of nationalists and socialists that led the country during the 1990s Balkan wars, has surprised many with its pro-European moves, especially regarding breakaway Kosovo.

Britain should leave EU: former Commission chief Delors — 28 December 2012, 15:54 CET

Britain could leave the European Union and enter into a different sort of partnership with the political and economic bloc instead, former EU Commission chief Jacques Delors said on Friday.

EU running out of patience with eurosceptic Britain — 28 December 2012, 20:21 CET

Europe's patience with an increasingly eurosceptic Britain is running out, EU President Herman Van Rompuy has warned, saying London's pick-and-choose approach puts the whole project at risk.

Euro crisis undercuts EU rotating presidency — 28 December 2012, 11:44 CET

The European Union's rotating six-month presidency has lost much of its authority in recent years as the eurozone crisis and increased powers for Brussels have undercut its role and importance.

Ireland's EU presidency hoping for growth but trouble persists — 28 December 2012, 11:43 CET

Bailed-out Ireland hopes to use the momentum of its presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2013 to push through measures to boost growth and create jobs.

Germany warns Britain against 'blackmailing' EU — 23 December 2012, 12:32 CET

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble warned Britain in a Sunday newspaper interview against "blackmailing" its EU partners in a bid to bring powers back home from Brussels.

Up to EU to decide on Cyprus aid: Putin — 21 December 2012, 19:20 CET

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday it was up to European Union countries to decide on a bailout for Cyprus, despite its close economic links with Moscow.

Combative Putin takes EU to task — 21 December 2012, 19:33 CET

EU leaders played up the positives of a 30th summit with Russia Friday but a combative Russian President Vladimir Putin took them bluntly to task over energy and human rights.