European Council

Latest news from the Council of the European Union.

Trump threatens EU's future: Tusk — 01 February 2017, 15:51 CET

As EU leaders prepare to meet at a summit on Friday, Council president Donald Tusk listed the Trump administration alongside Islamic extremism as a major threat to the existence of the European Union.

New EU presidency sticks to tough line on Brexit — 18 January 2017, 22:50 CET

Malta's prime minister Joseph Muscat, speaking at the European Parliament Wednesday, promised a fair deal for the United Kingdom, but a deal that would necessarily be inferior to EU membership.

Malta's unique role in pivotal year for the EU — 12 January 2017, 20:09 CET

European Union leaders visited Malta Wednesday to mark the launch of the first Maltese EU presidency, as it takes on a pivotal role in Europe's political development during a historic time for the EU.

Malta takes over EU presidency for the first time — 11 January 2017, 00:56 CET

The small island of Malta took over the EU presidency on 1 January, facing the challenges of Brexit and important elections in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

EU reaffirms strong support for Ukraine — 20 December 2016, 00:57 CET

The EU reaffirmed its support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity Monday, reiterating its refusal to recognise the "illegal annexation of Crimea and Sebastopol" by the Russian Federation.

EU formally extends sanctions against Russia — 20 December 2016, 00:56 CET

The European Union prolonged economic sanctions targeting specific sectors of the Russian economy by a further six months on Monday, continuing its response to the crisis in Ukraine.

EU summit condemns Russia, Iran over Aleppo — 16 December 2016, 17:06 CET

The EU summit strongly condemned the continued assault on Aleppo by the Syrian regime and its Russian and Iranian allies Thursday, after a symbolic address by the mayor of East Aleppo Mr Brita Haj Hassan.

Member states agree EU fishing quotas for next year — 15 December 2016, 00:41 CET

EU fisheries ministers reached agreement Wednesday on 2017 catch limits for the main commercial fish stocks in the Atlantic, the North Sea and international fisheries in which EU vessels participate.

EU, Cuba sign historic cooperation deal — 12 December 2016, 18:04 CET

The EU's foreign policy chief and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla Cuban signalled a normalising of EU-Cuba relations Monday with a first ever signing of a legal cooperation framework.

EU agrees end to geo-blocking barriers to e-commerce — 28 November 2016, 23:29 CET

EU ministers agreed Monday to ban barriers to e-commerce known as 'geo-blocking' which prevent online customers from buying products or services from a website based in another Member State.

EU pledges support to Ukraine at summit — 24 November 2016, 22:48 CET

EU leaders gave Ukraine's president Petro Poroshenko full support at a summit Thursday at which they cemented a deal on visa-free travel and praised the country's reform effort.

EU settles Budget deal for 2017 — 21 November 2016, 18:51 CET

EU finance ministers and Euro-MPs reached a provisional deal on the 2017 EU budget in the early hours of Thursday morning, with money focused on tackling the migration crisis and reinforcing security.

'Difficult moment' in EU-US relations as EU congratulates Trump — 09 November 2016, 13:13 CET

The presidents of the European Union's three main institutions congratulated Donald Trump Wednesday on his election as the next President of the United States.

EU tax havens blacklist set for end 2017 — 09 November 2016, 18:15 CET

EU finance ministers agreed Tuesday on the criteria and process for establishing an EU list of tax havens, or non-cooperative jurisdictions in taxation matters, with a view to finalising a list by the end of 2017.

Eurogroup reports progress on Greece, Cyprus — 08 November 2016, 00:40 CET

EU finance ministers heard positive reports on Greece's moves towards economic stability and the recovery of the Cypriot economy at their meeting in Brussels on Monday.

UK Court ruling puts Brexit on hold — 08 November 2016, 00:44 CET

Theresa May does not have the power to give notice to withdraw from EU membership without consulting Parliament, the High Court ruled Thursday, arousing the anger of Britain's anti-EU politicians.

EU widens sanctions against Syria regime — 29 October 2016, 00:36 CET

The EU widened restrictive measures against the Syrian regime to another ten people Thursday, for being responsible for the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria.

EU summit ends without Canada trade deal — 21 October 2016, 18:39 CET

The signing of the EU's comprehensive trade deal with Canada continued to be held up at an EU summit in Brussels Friday by objections from Belgium's tiny region of Wallonia.

Britain will play a full role till it leaves the EU, says May — 21 October 2016, 11:23 CET

Britain's new prime minister Theresa May arrived for her first EU summit Thursday, pledging the UK would play a full role until it leaves the EU, and urging a "united European stance in the face of Russian aggression"

Stop bombing Aleppo, EU tells Syria and Russia — 17 October 2016, 22:49 CET

The EU called on Russia and the Syrian regime to stop bombing Aleppo Monday, and to guarantee an effective ceasefire and avoid further humanitarian catastrophe.

UK's choice is 'hard Brexit' or 'no Brexit', says Tusk — 17 October 2016, 23:25 CET

The only real alternative to a 'hard Brexit' is 'no Brexit', EU President Donald Tusk warned Britons in a speech at the European Policy Centre for its 20th anniversary conference in Brussels.

Brussels proposes cooperation accord with Cuba — 26 September 2016, 00:06 CET

The European Commission adopted Thursday a proposal on the signing of a Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba, marking a turning point in EU-Cuba relations.

Leaders vow to work for renewal of trust in the EU — 16 September 2016, 23:56 CET

EU leaders meeting at an informal 'summit of reflection' following the United Kingdom's 'Brexit' vote vowed to listen to concerns and forge a new, reformed common future for the remaining 27 Member States.

Summit to mull EU future without Britain — 14 September 2016, 20:47 CET

EU heads of government or state meet Friday for an informal summit to map out a new direction for an EU with 27 member countries following the result of the UK's referendum.

Leaders look to safeguard future of Europe — 30 August 2016, 18:45 CET

Europe's Italian, French and German leaders meeting to chart the future of the EU following Britain's Brexit referendum have promised to secure Europe's future and uphold European values.