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Bulgaria to ask for EU assessment on its readiness to adopt euro next year

Bulgaria will ask the European Commission and the European Central Bank for an assessment on whether it meets all criteria to join the eurozone in January next year, its finance…

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EU suspends sanctions against Syria including on energy, banking

European Union countries suspended a range of sanctions against Syria with immediate effect on Monday, including restrictions related to energy, banking, transport and reconstruction. The EU has a range of sanctions…

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EU Leaders Reaffirm Support for Ukraine on War Anniversary, Announce New Sanctions Against Russia

In a joint statement, the leaders of the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine as the war enters its third year. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Council President…

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EU and Israel to discuss Gaza’s future, regional politics

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar will meet senior European officials in Brussels on Monday, reviving a dialogue with the European Union as the bloc considers a role…

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EU looks to tighten controls on low-quality online imports

Earlier this month, the EU Commission set out a number of measures to tackle risks stemming from low-value imports sold via non-EU online retailers and marketplaces hosting non-EU traders. The…

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Caribbean leader tells EU chief: Apologise and pay reparations for slavery

Former colonial powers must apologise and pay compensation for their historic role in the enslavement of Africans, Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.…

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UPDATED: No peace deal without involving Ukraine, Europe in talks, EU foreign policy chief says

There can be no Russia-Ukraine peace deal without the participation of Ukraine and Europe, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, after meeting with her South African counterpart…

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EU approves more sanctions against Russia

European Union envoys have approved a new raft of sanctions against Russia, with the measures set to enter into force next week on the third anniversary of its full-scale invasion…

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LNG imports plummet amid falling EU gas demand

Europe's declining gas demand raises doubts about the rush to build new LNG import terminals, although there is still room to increase imports from the US, as urged by former…

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Cost of Living and Environment Top Concerns for Young People in the EU

A recent Eurobarometer Youth Survey reveals that rising prices and the cost of living are the most pressing concerns for young people in the European Union, with 40% of respondents…

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Von der Leyen Calls for Accelerated Ukraine EU Accession at Munich Security Conference

The Munich Security Conference commenced with a moment of silence for the victims of Thursday’s car ramming attack in Munich, which left at least 36 people injured, including several in…

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European Parliament President Metsola visits Gaza, underlines support

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola visited Gaza on Thursday, marking the first visit by a member of the EU leadership to the coastal strip in more than a decade, according…

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EU sues France over bird hunting with nets

The European Commission said on Wednesday it is taking France to the EU Court of Justice after the country ignored repeated warnings over failing to ban bird hunting with nets.It…

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EU Culture Commissioner Glenn Micallef says funding culture is key to EU security

The European Union should dedicate more money to a key culture program that is vital to the bloc’s security, said new Culture Commissioner Glenn Micallef. In an exclusive first interview…

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EU favours dialogue over retaliation to Trump tariffs

The European Union hopes to avert a damaging trade war with the U.S. over impending metals tariffs by prioritising negotiations rather than retaliatory countermeasures, comments from officials indicated. Ministers responsible…

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EU budget ‘will need more funds but aim for increased flexibility’ and boost competitiveness

The European Commission wants to revamp the next EU budget to help firms be more competitive, give more clout to EU foreign policy and influence the reforms and investments that…

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What are the EU’s options in response to Trump tariffs?

U.S. President Donald Trump is imposing tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium and raise rates to match those of other countries in the coming week. The United States and…

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Von der Leyen to host CEOs after unveiling EU’s economic plan

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will present her plan to revive the European Union’s flagging economy to over 300 industry leaders in Antwerp on Feb. 26, multiple attendees…

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EU says it would react to U.S. steel tariffs, awaits details

The European Commission said on Monday it would react to protect EU interests after U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of impending metals tariffs, but said it would not respond until…

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Frontex warns migration complexities influenced by Russia’s actions in Libya and the Mediterranean

The European Union's border security agency, Frontex, has issued a stark warning in its latest annual brief for 2024, outlining the increasing complexity of migration challenges across the continent. While…

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EU Condemns Trump’s Sanctions on International Criminal Court

In a move that has drawn widespread condemnation from European officials and the International Criminal Court (ICC) itself, former U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order authorizing economic…

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EU to tighten checks on goods sold by sites such as Shein and Temu

Parcels sent from China by online retailers such as Shein and Temu will face strict new customs controls as part of a crackdown by the European Commission on “dangerous products”…

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January sets ‘surprising’ heat record: EU monitor

Last month was the hottest January on record, Europe's climate monitor said Thursday, despite expectations that cooler La Nina conditions might quell a streak of record-breaking global temperatures. The Copernicus…

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EU Adopts Law to Transform Access to Health Data

The Council of the European Union has approved the European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation, a new law designed to enhance the exchange and access to health data across member…

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EU Commission poised to propose migrant ‘return hubs’ in legislation

The European Commission is exploring a new EU law on migrant returns, with several countries pushing for tougher measures. According to leaked meeting minutes reported by Euronews, the Commission plans…

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EU wants early US talks to avert Trump tariffs

The European Union wants to engage swiftly with the United States over President Donald Trump's planned tariffs, trade chief Maros Sefcovic said on Tuesday, while his boss Ursula von der…

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EU leaders agree to step up defence efforts

European Union leaders agreed on Monday to do more to bolster their defenses against Russia and other threats by hiking spending and filling gaps in their military capabilities. “A lot…

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EU must be more ‘transactional,’ top diplomat says

The European Union must become transactional in its foreign policy and demand more respect for its own interests in exchange for its economic offerings around the world, the bloc’s top…

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UPDATED: EU leaders vow to hit back if Trump triggers trade war

European Union leaders meeting in Brussels on Monday (Feb 3) warned there would be no winners in a trade war with the United States, insisting they would hit back if…

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Europe faces growing threat of fake drugs, Europol warns

The illicit trade of fake medicines is a “growing threat” in Europe, EU’s law enforcement agency warned. There is a rise in the trade of either sub-standard, falsely labelled or…

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UPDATED: More needs to be done on returns, EU migration commissioner says

EU internal affairs and migration commissioner Magnus Brunner said that while the EU has changed its migration and asylum policy last year, there is still more to be done on…

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France, Germany, others urge EU Commission to protect elections in Europe from foreign interference

France, Germany and 10 other European Union countries want the European Commission to use its powers under the Digital Services Act to protect the integrity of European elections from foreign…

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Bird flu poses growing pandemic threat as virus evolves

Bird flu poses an increasing pandemic threat as it becomes more adaptive, jumping to humans, pets and zoo animals, Europe’s disease and food agencies warned. They are urging countries to…

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ECB set to cut rates as Europe eyes Trump tariffs

The European Central Bank (ECB) is set to cut interest rates on Thursday, likely by 0.25 percentage points to 2.75%, with hints of further easing amid uncertainty over U.S. President…

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‘Ready to defend’: EU hardens line on Greenland as Trump doubles down threat

The EU is toughening its stance against Donald Trump’s renewed claim over Greenland, warning against any attempt to seize the territory by force. "I think we're going to have it,"…

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EU to create space single market

The EU plans to create a 'space single market' to enhance supply chain reliability and reduce dependency on foreign countries, the European Commissioner for Space announced on Tuesday. While the…

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EU ministers agree on roadmap to ease Syria sanctions

European Union foreign ministers have agreed on a roadmap to ease sanctions on Syria, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. “While we aim to move fast, the lifting…

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EU’s Kallas says EU is ‘not negotiating’ on Greenland

The European Union is "not negotiating" on Greenland, EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday, amid claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that the United States needs to…

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EU to target AI, biotech, cheap energy in global competitiveness push

AI, biotech and affordable clean energy will be the focus of an EU drive to make the bloc globally competitive and ensure it keeps pace with rivals the United States…

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Usage of AI technologies increasing in EU enterprises

In 2024, 13.5% of enterprises in the EU with 10 or more employees used artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to conduct their business, indicating a 5.5 percentage points (pp) growth from…

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More internet users turn to online learning in 2024

In 2024, 33% of EU internet users reported that they had done an online course or used online learning material in the 3 months prior to the survey. This is…

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Solar power surpasses coal as EU energy source

Solar power surpassed coal as a source of electricity in the European Union (EU) for the first time in 2024, according to a report released on Thursday by climate think tank…

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UK Weighs Joining Pan-European Trade Convention Amid Post-Brexit Talks

The European Union's new trade chief, Maros Sefcovic, has suggested that Britain could consider joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) Convention as part of efforts to "reset" UK-EU trade relations post-Brexit. Speaking…

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EU’s Kallas pushes back against Trump for saying Europe lags behind US on Ukraine aid

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas pushed back on Wednesday against Donald Trump for saying that Europe lagged behind the U.S. in aid for Ukraine, and insisted the bloc…

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Tusk’s Call for Increased EU Defence Spending

In a speech before the European Parliament, Donald Tusk called for a major boost in Europe's defence spending and a "critical review" of the Green Deal. "Europe was, is and…

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EU’s Von der Leyen warns against ‘global race to bottom’ on tariffs in Davos

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned on Tuesday of the risk of a 'global race to the bottom' using economic tools such as sanctions, export controls and tariffs.…

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Manfred Weber to seek reelection as EPP president

Manfred Weber, the boss of Europe’s largest pan-European political party, will seek reelection as its president at an upcoming congress according to Politico. Retaining the helm of the conservative European…

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Poland wants the EU focused on security

Poland’s six-month presidency of the European Union is firmly focused on security. As Europe’s biggest land war in decades rages, fewer places highlight the challenges and contradictions of defending the…

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Chemnitz and Nova Gorica kick off this year’s European Capitals of Culture

Around 80,000 people attended the opening event on January 18 that launched Chemnitz's year as European Capital of Culture 2025, a title the eastern German city is sharing with Nova Gorica/Gorizia,…

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EU pledges €120m in new aid for Gaza

The European Union has said it will deliver €120m ($123m) in fresh aid for Gaza to address the “ongoing humanitarian crisis” there. The package would include food, healthcare and shelter…

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Kallas asks EU members to confirm Italian Di Maio as Gulf envoy

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has requested to extend the mandate of former Italian foreign minister Luigi Di Maio as Special European Union Envoy for the Gulf region for…

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Von der Leyen named winner of the prestigious Charlemagne Prize

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was named the winner of the prestigious Charlemagne Prize for her handling of "crises of historic proportions," the award's organizers said Wednesday. "This…

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EU will fully enforce social media rules, says digital chief

The European Commission will fully enforce its rules governing social media and other large online platforms and has not delayed any actions, the EU digital chief said on Wednesday. "There…

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Nordics and Baltics ask EU to tighten price cap on Russian oil

Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Sweden have called for a revision of the price cap on Russian seaborne oil, originally set at $60 per barrel in late 2022 and…

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Energy price surge risks pushing EU economy into stagflation

Natural gas and crude oil prices have risen sharply in recent weeks due to increasing demand and expanded US sanctions on Russia. The spike in energy costs poses a risk…

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Companies get an extra year to comply with deforestation ban

Companies will have one more year to comply with new EU rules to prevent deforestation that will ban the sale in the EU of products sourced from deforested land. The…

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EU ministers will consider easing sanctions on Syria at a meeting later in January

European Union foreign ministers will meet in late January to discuss easing sanctions imposed on Syria, the bloc’s foreign policy chief said . However, she said the move would depend…

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