07:37 EU Central Time 15.05.2008

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Brussels outlines plan for new Mediterranean club

The European Commission has begun to look at the possible set-up for the planned Mediterranean union by trying to breathe life into current bilateral relations between the EU and Mediterranean countries while avoiding an unwieldy new political organisation. See more >

Brussels criticised on access to documents law

29.04.2008 - 09:26 CET

The European Commission's plans to overhaul rules on public access to documents have been strongly criticised by a civil liberties watchdog, which says its proposals are "retrogressive" in key areas.

Barroso shifts EU commission jobs between France and Italy

23.04.2008 - 09:29 CET

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has decided that Italy's new commissioner should take over the transport portfolio rather than keep the justice and home affairs job. Italy's outgoing leader Romano Prodi has criticised the move.

MEPs call for EU stance on communist crimes

22.04.2008 - 11:31 CET

Several members of the European Parliament have called for the EU's formal recognition of crimes committed by the Stalinist regime and compensation for its victims on the same terms as victims of the Nazis.

Secret deal between EU-3 blocks Blair as EU president

21.04.2008 - 09:30 CET

UK prime minister Gordon Brown has agreed to a secret deal with Germany and France which effectively rules out Tony Blair as a new EU president but the British ex-leader is also interested in the new role of Europe's foreign chief, a UK daily is reporting.

MEPs call for 'quality' EU commissioner from Italy

17.04.2008 - 17:39 CET

Members of the European parliament's civil rights committee have indicated they are preparing a tough hearing for the new Italian EU commissioner while giving a lukewarm reaction to the names currently being touted for the heavy-weight justice and home affairs post.

Berlusconi insults Spain with remark on female ministers

17.04.2008 - 09:24 CET

Even before officially taking over as Italy's third time prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi has already raised eyebrows with remarks on the European Central Bank's powers as well as on the Spanish government, suggesting it is "too pink".

Bulgarian commissioner critical of the home front

16.04.2008 - 17:41 CET

Bulgarian EU commissioner Meglena Kuneva has strongly criticised the administration in her home country and called on Sofia to reform it by "using" its human capital in a better and more efficient way. She also urged Bulgaria to show more progress in the justice and home affairs sector - an area strongly criticised by Brussels.

Berlusconi wins Italian elections

15.04.2008 - 07:07 CET

Silvio Berlusconi has won the parliamentary elections in Italy, vowing to lead the country through the "difficult" years ahead. Going on previous experience with the eccentric centre-right politician, some in Europe are expecting tough or at least colourful times with Italy under his leadership.

Berlusconi leads polls ahead of Italian elections

Irish PM resigns amid corruption scandal

New commissioner pledges to tackle disputed EU health bill

Sarkozy and Brown agree on 'partnership of pioneers'

Sarkozy calls on Britain to play greater role in Europe

EU leaders agree to weakened Mediterranean Union plan

[Comment] The parliament that prefers avarice to power

29.02.2008 - 07:06 CET

The European Parliament should have the courage to publish its controversial audit report, writes Peter Sain ley Berry. Not doing so damages both its political and moral authority.

Russia angry at Poland's preliminary OK to US missile shield

04.02.2008 - 09:25 CET

Reviving World War II rhetoric, Russia has warned Poland against hosting a US missile defence shield after Warsaw last week agreed "in principle" to host parts of the system on its territory.

Polls shows Irish strongly favour EU membership

31.01.2008 - 08:49 CET

Some 87 percent of Irish people think that Ireland has benefitted from EU membership - the highest such score to be recorded among member states. But there remains high levels of uncertainty among Irish voters about how they will vote on the EU treaty.

Northern Irish leaders create direct link to EU

11.01.2008 - 09:15 CET

Together with European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso, Northern Irish leaders Rev. Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness have announced a "one-stop shop" for direct discussions between Northern Ireland officials and the EU, bypassing Westminster.

Kosovo to aim for 'coordinated' declaration of independence

07.12.2007 - 17:43 CET

With diplomatic efforts led by the US, the EU and Russia on the final status of Kosovo now exhausted, the EU is setting itself on a pragmatic course, which could see the breakaway province of Serbia becoming independent as a result of a "coordinated" procedure with the international community.

EU death penalty day gets Polish blessing

07.12.2007 - 07:32 CET

Poland has lifted its veto on creating a "European Day Against the Death Penalty," clearing the way for EU justice ministers to adopt the plan in Brussels on Friday.

Eurozone troika ready to act on world stage

04.12.2007 - 09:28 CET

The eurozone - the EU's common currency area - is ready to defend its interests abroad through talks with foreign leaders at the highest political level, the eurozone's chief has said.

Romania told to fix farm payments system or lose aid

14.11.2007 - 17:29 CET

The European Commission has given Romania until mid-December to fix the remaining problems with its farm payments system or face losing millions of euros in EU farm aid.

British conservatives in disarray over EU treaty

13.11.2007 - 09:19 CET

The question of Europe was once again riding high in British politics last night after a senior member of the opposition Conservatives indicated that the party would not accept parliamentary ratification of the new EU Reform Treaty.