No support for EU army in ministers' talks
There will be no joint EU force and no EU military HQ for a long time to come, defence ministers’ talks in Bratislava on Tuesday indicated.
EU sanctions hurting Russian firms, US says
EU and US sanctions are draining money from Russian companies and from its state aid fund, US research shows.
Opinion
The EU’s new offer to Africa
The European Commission’s plan for a multi-billion African investment vehicle is mainly another incentive for African leaders to give higher priority to border management.
News in Brief
- Catalonia leader wants independence vote September 2017
- EU leaders to attend Peres funeral
- German/UK stock merger probed
- Germany has no plans for Deutsche Bank rescue
- Evidence mounts of Russian role in MH17 disaster
- Four EU states did not relocate a single refugee
- EU-Turkey deal keeps migrant numbers down
- EU proposes mandatory lobby register
Column / Crude World
Why Putin's union doesn't want to work with the EU
The EU should not dismiss institutional cooperation with the Russia-led economic association. But Moscow's previous behaviour with Ukraine and Moldova shows it won't let its neighbours turn too much to the West.
Finland calls for 'pragmatic' EU defence
Finland’s plan for EU defence integration, presented to ministers today, goes less far than Italian or French “visions”, while quietly designating Russia as a threat.
EU rushing to ratify climate agreement
Environment ministers will try to agree this week to speed up the process to sign up to the Paris agreement. Otherwise it would not be present at the table of the signatories at a conference in November.
Italy lays out 'vision' of EU army
Italy has laid out plans for the creation of a “European force” that goes beyond Franco-German proposals on defence integration.
EU admits 'unrealistic' to close TTIP deal this year
EU trade ministers said it was not realistic to finalise talks on the TTIP trade treaty before the end of the year. But they agreed to a similar deal with Canada and will take steps to have it ratified.
Opinion
LGBT rights at stake in Georgia election
The Georgian Dream party says it is pro-EU, but its demonisation of LGBT people for the sake of a few votes is a retrograde move on Georgia's European path.
Opinion
Belarus: A nation with no politics
Lukashenko will never become Gorbachov. If Belarusian people do not stop acquiescing on fake elections and other abuses, change won't come.
'At least five' EU states going soft on Russia, US says
US vice-president Joe Biden said even Merkel is not as "stalwart" as she used to be, while urging Ukraine to accelerate reforms.
Bosnia referendum makes mockery of EU step
Western powers have urged Bosnian Serbs to abandon a referendum that threatens to destabilise the country and to undo its EU application, filed Tuesday.
Focus
Denmark leads Ukraine anti-corruption drive
The EU has unveiled an anti-corruption scheme for Ukraine, amid concerns that its officials and lawmakers are undermining a key reform in the fight against villainy.
UK to veto EU 'defence union'
Reacting to Bratislava talks, Britain has said it would veto the creation of EU military capabilities so long as it remained a member of Europe.
Don't forget Russia in EU talks, Ukraine says
As leaders meet in Bratislava to try to stop EU fragmentation, Ukraine has highlighted Russia’s role in trying to “shatter” the bloc.
Interview
Canada trade deal is 'wrong enemy'
The EU's trade deal with Canada is coming under pressure from critics and member states, but the EP rapporteur argues supporters of protectionism are picking the wrong enemy.
West shows $1bn of faith in Ukraine
The IMF has shown faith in Ukraine’s reform efforts by disbursing more money. A new ceasefire deal has also given fresh hope of peace.
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Latest News
- EU commission presents 'realistic' lobbying rules
- Evidence mounts of Russia's role in MH17
- New EU rules on financial products in limbo
- Turkey denies protection to returning Syrians
- Budget commissioner Georgieva leaves for UN campaign
- Ambition meets reality in EU tax leaks probe
- No support for EU army in ministers' talks
- Greek MPs approve water and electricity privatisation
Cyprus leaders ask UN support for unification
The Greek and Turkish leaders of the divided island hope to reach a peace settlement by the end of the year.
Belarus elections: invisible, but not trivial
The surprise elevation of two opposition candidates to parliament is designed to win friends in the West, but if the EU and US reciprocate, they'll be playing into Lukashenko's hands.
Opinion
Kosovo on the brink over Montenegro deal
Thaci government faces revolt over Montenegro deal - the straw that broke the camel's back after years of misrule and economic stagnation.
EU joint defence to focus on south
France and Germany propose leap forward on EU defence, but ideas are far from being an "EU army", and target African crises instead of Russia.
France and Germany propose EU 'defence union'
Germany and France have drawn up plans for closer EU defence cooperation, including a new military HQ and swifter deployment of overseas missions.
MEPs urge ban on Israeli settler football teams
International football authority Fifa should exclude Israeli teams that come from occupied Palestinian land, according to an MEPs’ petition.
Greece kept child refugees in 'abusive' conditions
Some minors fleeing violence are kept in "filthy" and prison-like conditions in Greece, with no access to help, according to Human Rights Watch.
Analysis
Serbia and the convenient spy
The manufactured cold war between Croatia and Serbia has been a convenient distraction from some of Serbia's domestic problems.
EU extends Russia blacklist by six months
Oligarchs, Kremlin aides, and security chiefs remain banned from EU until at least March next year, but Brexit could help Russia to get off the hook on economic sanctions.
MEPs heap praise on Morocco before legal opinion
The European Parliament hosted a support event for Morocco’s government days before a legal opinion is issued on a controversial EU-Moroccan trade deal.
EU condemns Russian attack on last real pollster
The EU foreign service has urged Moscow to reconsider its listing of Levada as an “agent” of foreign powers.
MEPs back visa-free travel for Georgians
The small Caucasian republic could get an EU visa waiver before its parliamentary elections in October. Kosovo, Turkey and Ukraine are also on the list, but may have to wait longer.
Opinion
Georgia's EU visa waiver should not be politicised
Delaying visa liberalisation for Georgians, after the country has met all the EU benchmarks, would harm our credibility as a soft power.
EU and Erdogan try to defuse tensions
Top EU officials posed for friendly photos with Turkish president Erdogan in China, but the Turkish leader accused the West of "racist" attitudes toward refugees.
