EU politics

Latest news about European Union politics.

EU reappoints 'Mr Fixit' as president — 02 March 2012, 10:53 CET

EU leaders on Thursday reappointed quiet but canny Belgian politician Herman Van Rompuy as European Union president for a second 30-month term, while also naming him chairman of the 17-nation eurozone.

EU slaps new sanctions on Belarus — 28 February 2012, 11:07 CET

The European Union slapped new sanctions Monday against Belarus in protest against continuing repression by President Alexander Lukashenko's regime.

China, Russia slam West on Syria as EU ups sanctions — 27 February 2012, 15:55 CET

Russia and China hit back on Monday after US State Secretary Hillary Clinton criticised their stance on Syria and as the European Union agreed new sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Hungary ready to resume talks on IMF-EU loan: minister — 21 February 2012, 18:17 CET

Hungary said Tuesday it was ready to resume talks with the International Monetary Fund and the EU on a massive loan after it responded to EU legal challenges that had held up negotiations last year.

UN calls for unimpeded access to Syria — 21 February 2012, 18:07 CET

The UN under secretary-general for humanitarian affairs Valerie Amos on Tuesday called on Syria to allow aid groups unimpeded access to the country.

Iran boosts nuclear site defences, warns EU on oil — 20 February 2012, 16:32 CET

Iran deployed warplanes and missiles Monday in an "exercise" to protect nuclear sites threatened by possible Israeli attacks and warned it could cut oil exports to more EU nations unless sanctions were lifted.

EU lifts travel ban on 87 top Myanmar officials — 17 February 2012, 13:37 CET

The European Union lifted a travel ban on 87 Myanmar officials on Friday, including the president, in an effort to encourage more political reforms but kept an assets freeze against them.

EU aid official to visit Myanmar ahead of 'crucial' polls — 09 February 2012, 14:42 CET

Myanmar's upcoming elections will be crucial for the credibility of reforms that remain "fragile," the EU's foreign aid chief told AFP ahead of a trip to offer 150 million euros in aid.

Iran will respond to any oil, military threats: Khamenei — 03 February 2012, 12:22 CET

Iran will respond with threats of its own to intensifying warnings of military attacks and Western sanctions, its supreme leader said Friday in remarks particularly aimed at archfoe the United States.

Euro crisis to top agenda of Merkel's visit to China — 31 January 2012, 16:22 CET

The eurozone debt crisis, Iran and Syria will be among the topics up for discussion when German Chancellor Angela Merkel makes a two-day trip to China this week, government sources said Tuesday.

EU urges Myanmar to keep up reforms — 31 January 2012, 10:09 CET

European Union leaders on Monday urged Myanmar's leaders to continue reforms and pledged to further ease sanctions if the regime meets the bloc's expectations.

Independent Scotland, UK would have more EU votes: Salmond — 25 January 2012, 01:17 CET

Scotland and the United Kingdom would together have more European Union votes and greater influence in the bloc if the former becomes independent, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said Tuesday.

Orban told not to take European leaders for 'stupid' — 24 January 2012, 13:32 CET

Hungarian premier Viktor Orban was warned Tuesday not to take Europe's leaders for 'stupid" by saying one thing in Budapest, and another in Brussels.

Under-fire Orban seeks end to damaging row with Brussels — 24 January 2012, 12:07 CET

Under-fire Hungarian premier Viktor Orban on Tuesday sought a way out of a row with Brussels over controversial new laws that have snarled Budapest's bid for much-needed credit and set off EU legal action.

Australia will follow EU ban on Iranian oil imports: Rudd — 24 January 2012, 12:02 CET

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said on Tuesday his country would follow the European Union in banning Iranian oil imports, after talks with his British counterpart in London.

Belarus refuses to free jailed rights leader — 24 January 2012, 11:12 CET

A Belarus court on Tuesday upheld the conviction and four-and-a-half year jail sentence of a top human rights leader whose arrest was based on the unwitting cooperation of two European Union states.

EU sanctions target Iran's Tejarat bank, Guards Corps — 24 January 2012, 10:52 CET

The EU targeted both Iran's central bank and Tejarat bank, its third largest, as well as shipping firms and three senior Revolutionary Guards in new sanctions this week, the EU Official Journal said Tuesday.

Obama lauds Iran oil embargo as US turns the screw — 24 January 2012, 10:51 CET

US President Barack Obama tightened the noose on Iran's battered banking system Tuesday and lauded an EU move to choke Tehran's oil exports, amid evidence that sanctions are beginning to bite.

International sanctions against Iran — 23 January 2012, 18:07 CET

International sanctions against Iran focus on key sectors such as defence, finance and oil with the aim of persuading Tehran to end its controversial nuclear programme. Over time, the United Nations and the European Union have adopted increasingly tough measures.

EU agrees to begin lifting sanctions against Myanmar — 23 January 2012, 10:47 CET

EU foreign ministers agreed Monday to begin easing sanctions against Myanmar to encourage reform but will await further positive signals before calling an end to restrictive measures, diplomats said.

Bulgaria's President Plevneliev takes office — 22 January 2012, 12:22 CET

Bulgaria's conservative President Rosen Plevneliev took office Sunday, urging national unity around the goal of improving the economy and the country's image within the EU.

Iran must show 'sincerity' for nuclear talks: US — 20 January 2012, 22:12 CET

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday that Iran must show a "seriousness and sincerity of purpose" if it is to resume talks with six world powers on its suspect nuclear program.

Austria urges Hungary to follow EU rules — 20 January 2012, 14:07 CET

Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger urged Hungary to get in line with European law after a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban Friday, .

Main points of the EU's Lisbon Treaty — 01 December 2009, 18:40 CET

The European Union's wide-ranging Lisbon Treaty, which entered into force Tuesday, is aimed at updating and revitalising the bloc's institutions and replacing its failed constitution.

Main points of the EU's Lisbon Treaty — 03 November 2009, 18:24 CET

The European Union's wide-ranging Lisbon Treaty, now ratified by all 27 EU member states after eurosceptic Czech President Vaclav Klaus put pen to paper Tuesday, is aimed at updating and revitalising the bloc's institutions and replacing its failed constitution.