EU politics

Latest news about European Union politics.

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.

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.

Romania's MPs send 'bad' signal against graft: PM — 21 December 2012, 16:12 CET

Romanian MPs on Friday refused to allow the arrest of a lawmaker accused of corruption, a move that will undermine the country's international credibility according to Prime Minister Victor Ponta.

Germany says Dutch minister good candidate for eurogroup chief — 21 December 2012, 23:45 CET

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said Friday he considered his Dutch counterpart Jeroen Dijsselbloem as a good possible candidate to take over as head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers.

Topless Femen feminists detained in anti-Putin protest — 21 December 2012, 13:02 CET

Four pro-democracy activists from Ukraine's feminist group Femen staged a brief topless protest Friday against Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was in Brussels attending a European Union summit.

EU welcomes Putin with Syria back in focus — 21 December 2012, 19:32 CET

Russian President Vladimir Putin went into talks with European Union leaders Friday, tackling a lengthy agenda of contentious issues from trade and human rights to Syria.

Belgrade wants autonomy for Kosovo Serbs: report — 20 December 2012, 21:39 CET

Serbia wants for its Serb minority in breakaway Kosovo a "high degree of autonomy" modelled on Spain's Catalan region, Beta news agency reported on Thursday, quoting a document to be sent to the republic's parliament for debate.

Tough-talking Putin visits Brussels — 20 December 2012, 11:50 CET

The European Union welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, highlighting its partnership with a Moscow determined to forcefully defend its interests against Western interference.

EU clears EUR 1.2 bn for delayed Berlin airport — 19 December 2012, 19:03 CET

The European Commission cleared Wednesday 1.2 billion euros in additional state aid to allow completion of Berlin's long-delayed new airport.

EU urges deeper integration of five Maghreb nations — 19 December 2012, 18:02 CET

The European Union on Wednesday urged the five Maghreb nations of northern Africa to draw inspiration from Europe and deepen their regional integration in the aftermath of the Arab Spring.

EU, Montenegro make progress in accession talks — 18 December 2012, 23:59 CET

The European Union held a first round of accession talks with Montenegro on Tuesday and approved one of the 35 chapters of its application for membership, which premier Milo Djukanovic has made his top priority.

Romania's president picks as PM man who tried to oust him — 17 December 2012, 18:49 CET

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Monday re-appointed as prime minister the man who tried to impeach him earlier this year, averting the risk of fresh a political crisis in one of the European Union's newest states.

US expects Romania to avoid 'replay' of political crisis — 15 December 2012, 11:34 CET

Washington expects strategic ally Romania to stick to its rule of law and IMF commitments in order to avoid a "replay" of the political crisis last summer, the US ambassador to Romania told AFP.

Berlusconi says has 'so much to do' outside politics — 13 December 2012, 22:06 CET

Italy's former leader Silvio Berlusconi gave a strong hint Thursday that he might not run in next year's election, telling a Belgian television station he had "so much to do" outside politics.

Barroso tells Berlusconi to mind Italy's interests first — 13 December 2012, 22:00 CET

European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso on Thursday said he told his "old friend" Silvio Berlusoni, who may run again for election, that he must be mindful above all else of Italy's stability.

EU praises new Mali PM but warns military against meddling — 12 December 2012, 17:16 CET

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Wednesday welcomed the naming of Mali's new premier Diango Cissoko as a man of consensus, while warning the Malian military against further meddling.

Poor Romania expands parliament — 12 December 2012, 16:34 CET

Romania's new parliament is preparing to welcome more than 100 extra deputies following weekend elections, an increase that is raising eyebrows in one of the poorest countries in the European Union.

Bulgaria to block start of Macedonia-EU talks — 11 December 2012, 17:07 CET

Bulgaria said Tuesday it will block Macedonia's bid to set a starting date for EU accession talks later this week, after earlier lashing out at what it sees as Skopje's nationalistic rhetoric.

EU calls for new Mali PM, army to stay out of politics — 11 December 2012, 13:49 CET

EU foreign policy head Catherine Ashton on Tuesday called on Mali to appoint a new prime minister acceptable to all sides and urged the military to cease interfering in political life.