EU politics

Latest news about European Union politics.

Iran won't capitulate in nuclear talks: Khamenei — 16 October 2012, 13:41 CET

Iran will not give in to "bullying" at the negotiating table with world powers over its disputed nuclear programme despite new economic sanctions, its supreme leader said on Tuesday.

Germany wants to beef up Commissioner's role — 16 October 2012, 13:40 CET

The German government wants rapid changes to the European Union treaty, handing a stronger role to the Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner, Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said Tuesday.

Iran says new EU sanctions 'inhumane' — 16 October 2012, 13:38 CET

Iran said Tuesday the latest round of EU economic sanctions imposed over the country's disputed nuclear programme are "inhumane" as they target its general population.

US charges Iran with 'economic mismanagement' — 16 October 2012, 10:28 CET

The United States on Monday accused Iran of extreme economic mismanagement as biting sanctions wreak havoc on the Iranian economy, and the European Union agreed a new slew of moves against the regime.

Cameron urges Israel to give Iran sanctions time — 16 October 2012, 00:09 CET

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday urged Israel not to launch a military attack on Iran over its contested nuclear programme and said sanctions should be given time to work.

Nationalist gains raise stakes across Belgium, Europe — 15 October 2012, 19:29 CET

A Flemish nationalist breakthrough is a rude wake-up call for Belgium's government and reflects spreading independence demands across Europe stoked by unpopular EU austerity policies, analysts said Monday.

EU maintains sanctions against Belarus — 15 October 2012, 19:32 CET

European Union foreign ministers on Monday maintained sanctions on Belarus due to serious concerns over human rights as well as flawed general elections last month.

EU greenlights military back-up for Mali — 15 October 2012, 19:33 CET

European Union foreign ministers on Monday approved moves to "urgently" plan for a possible military mission to help Mali reconquer its vast arid north from rebels and Islamist extremists.

US welcomes new EU sanctions on Iran — 15 October 2012, 19:29 CET

The United States Monday welcomed new European Union financial and trade sanctions slapped on Iran over its nuclear program, saying they deepened the Islamic republic's isolation.

EU tightens financial noose on Iran, Syria with new sanctions — 16 October 2012, 00:14 CET

European Union foreign ministers on Monday agreed tough sanctions against Iran, aimed at forcing a breakthrough in talks on Tehran's nuclear programme, and also the regime in war-ravaged Syria.

Ukraine delays Tymoshenko hearing until after polls — 15 October 2012, 19:23 CET

A Ukrainian court Monday once again delayed the new trial of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko on embezzlement and tax evasion charges until after crucial parliamentary polls.

Bailout for Spain would cost Italy 1.5% of GDP: minister — 15 October 2012, 13:12 CET

Italy's contribution to a hypothetical bailout for Spain would cost 1.5 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), Finance Minister Vittorio Grilli said in an interview in La Repubblica on Friday.

Britain to outline plans to opt out of EU justice: reports — 14 October 2012, 20:18 CET

Britain is set to announce plans to opt out of a range of European Union justice and policing measures, including the European arrest warrant, according to newspaper reports on Sunday.

Poland's PM unveils EUR 42bn stimulus plan to boost growth, jobs — 13 October 2012, 23:08 CET

Poland's centrist Prime Minister Donald Tusk won a confidence vote Friday after unveiling 42 billion euros ($55 billion) in short-term stimulus to sustain growth and jobs.

Hungary close to 'good deal' with IMF: PM Orban — 12 October 2012, 13:24 CET

Hungary is close to striking a good deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a 15-billion-euro ($19 billion) credit line, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday, just days after an anti-IMF ad campaign.

Merkel as 'Queen Europe' surveys field of weakened allies — 12 October 2012, 11:07 CET

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is now as never before the voice of Europe, supporters and critics across the continent say, as she presses ahead with her austerity drive against a weakened France.

Hungary PM tells Merkel not against euro in principle — 11 October 2012, 17:09 CET

Hungary is not opposed to joining the euro in principle, but believes it would not be beneficial to do so at the moment, the country's prime minister Viktor Orban said here on Thursday.

EU eyes military role in Mali — 11 October 2012, 21:53 CET

The EU is working on plans to help Mali's army oust rebels and Islamic extremists controlling the country's north, including the dispatch of 150 trainers, according to EU sources and a draft document obtained by AFP Thursday.

Hungary sees no obligation to join euro: PM — 10 October 2012, 17:52 CET

Hungary is under no obligation to join the euro and doing so at the current juncture would be "irresponsible", the country's prime minister Viktor Orban said in a newspaper interview Wednesday.

EU, US slam Kazakhstan over opposition leader's jailing — 09 October 2012, 21:49 CET

The European Union and United States voiced concern Tuesday over this week's jailing of Kazakhstan's opposition leader, accusing the oil-rich nation of using the justice system to silence critics.

British PM hints at EU referendum — 09 October 2012, 10:42 CET

Prime Minister David Cameron said Tuesday that a referendum on Britain's relationship with the European Union would be the "simplest" way of resolving the issue.

Kosovo PM rejects partition of northern region — 01 October 2012, 19:41 CET

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci on Monday said there would be no partition of his country's northern, Serb-majority region.

Thousands in Paris denounce EU 'austerity' pact — 01 October 2012, 11:02 CET

Tens of thousands of left-wing protesters took to the streets of Paris on Sunday to denounce EU-driven austerity measures being pushed on member states, a day after similar protests in Spain and Portugal.

Extra sanctions aim to punish Iran and restrain Israel — 30 September 2012, 13:10 CET

The European Union and United States are set to toughen nuclear sanctions aiming to punish Iran while seeking to hold back Israel from a military strike, as the showdown enters a critical phase.

Germany tells world Europe will remain a force despite debt — 28 September 2012, 23:19 CET

Germany's foreign minister told the United Nations on Friday that Europe will remain a world "force to be reckoned with" despite its crippling debt crisis.