European Union

EU ministers seal ‘historic’ migration deal

By Gabriela Baczynska Deal comes after years of stalemate and ahead of 2024 vote Critics warn about overcrowded camps on EU edges Italian, Dutch premiers, EU executive plan Tunisia trip…

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Russia aims to block EU from hosting COP29 climate summit, emails show

Venue for 2024 UN climate talks uncertain Ukraine war, geopolitics complicate decision Russia vows to block EU countries from hosting Azerbaijan, Bulgaria both bid to host By Kate Abnett and…

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EU considers mandatory ban on using Huawei to build 5G – FT

(Reuters) - The European Union is considering a mandatory ban on member-states using companies that might pose a security risk in their 5G networks, including China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd,…

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EU Commission allocates $1.3 bln to tackle mental health ‘silent epidemic’

BRUSSELS, June 7 (Reuters) - The European Commission said on Wednesday it would allocate 1.23 billion euros ($1.3 billion) to mental health initiatives across the 27-member European Union and make…

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Spain asks EU for $90 billion in loans ahead of July election

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain has asked the European Commission for 84 billion euros ($90 billion) in loans from the bloc's COVID-19 recovery package, a quarter of which will be managed…

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EU launches survey to boost appeal of its debt

June 7 (Reuters) - The European Union is launching a survey on Wednesday to help boost the liquidity of its debt. The bloc will survey market participants to help identify…

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Breakthrough on stalled EU migration deal coming this week

By Gabriela Baczynska EU migration ministers meet on Thursday in Luxembourg Deal expected after years of bad blood between EU states Johansson warns against toxic national debates Oxfam says plan…

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Poland receives draft EU regulation extending ban on Ukrainian food imports

WARSAW, June 5 (Reuters) - Poland's agriculture minister has received a draft regulation from the European Commission extending a ban on imports of some Ukrainian food products until September 15,…

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Spain calls for postponement of Prime Minister’s speech on EU Council presidency due to elections

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain wants to delay the presentation of priorities for its upcoming EU presidency until months after assuming the bloc's rotating leadership in July 1 due to a…

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EU recommends end to energy support in 2023 to help fiscal policy

By Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS, May 24 (Reuters) - The European Commission recommended on Wednesday that all EU governments end support measures for energy prices by the end of this year…

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EU countries back ban on destruction of unsold textiles

BRUSSELS, May 22 (Reuters) - European Union governments agreed on Monday that the bloc should ban the destruction of unsold textiles, part of the EU's green push towards reducing waste…

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UPDATED: South Korea, EU agree to boost security ties amid Ukraine, North Korea tension

By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL, May 22 (Reuters) - South Korea and the European Union agreed on Monday to step up cooperation on security amid tension over Russia's invasion of Ukraine…

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EU may restore SWIFT link for Russian bank only after Ukraine conflict ends

MOSCOW, May 22 (Reuters) - The European Union may restore access to the SWIFT payment system for a Russian state agricultural bank only after the conflict in Ukraine ends, the…

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Moldova’s President Maia Sandu wants EU accession talks to start ‘in the next months’

The EU should let Moldova into the bloc “as soon as possible” to better protect the country against rising Russian threats, Moldova’s President Maia Sandu said Thursday. The country of…

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EU’s Michel calls for ‘stable and constructive’ cooperation with China

By Katya Golubkova HIROSHIMA, Japan, May 19 (Reuters) - European Council President Charles Michel said on Friday it was in the EU's interest to maintain "stable and constructive" cooperation with…

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EU’s Borrell asks for 3.5 bln euro boost to fund used for Ukraine military aid

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has proposed adding 3.5 billion euros ($3.85 billion) to a fund used to finance military aid for Ukraine, EU sources…

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EU gets more cautious on hitting third countries over Russia sanctions

By Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The EU's latest draft of new sanctions against Russia would make it more difficult than originally proposed to cut trade with third countries over…

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Recent data shows prisons in 8 EU countries are overcrowded

Prisons in Cyprus, Italy, France and Sweden are among the most crowded, according to the latest data. According to the latest data released by Eurostat, the number of prisoners in…

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France votes to fly EU flags on public buildings across the country

The French National Assembly this week voted to make it mandatory to fly the EU flag on town halls in France, in a move that has riled Euroskeptics at home.…

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EU plans to tweak China policy but keep balanced approach

By Andrew Gray STOCKHOLM, May 12 (Reuters) - The European Union's diplomatic service has set out plans to recalibrate the bloc's China policy, aiming to reduce the risks of economic…

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Ukraine’s Zelenskiy promises legal overhaul to aid EU entry bid

(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he had approved a plan to reform criminal and law enforcement systems, a key element in plans to secure quick membership of the…

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EU power trading value soared 58% to record high in 2022 – report

LONDON, May 11 (Reuters) - The notional value of wholesale power trades in Europe's main markets soared by 58% last year to a record high of 1,314 billion euros, researchers…

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EU draft Data Act puts trade secrets at risk, Siemens, SAP say

By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS, May 8 (Reuters) - German business software maker SAP and German engineering company Siemens have joined U.S. tech giants in criticising draft EU laws on…

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Photo Story: Visitors attend European Institutions Open Day in Brussels

A visitor draped in a Flag of Europe poses in front of a picture of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the VIP reception lounge of the EU…

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Head of Sweden’s No. 2 party calls for rethink of relations with EU

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden should seek more exemptions from EU laws as part of a reset in relations with the 27-member bloc, the head of the Sweden Democrats, the country's…

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EU tweaks draft patent rules making it easier for patent holders to sue

By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission has tweaked draft patent rules to make it easier for patent holders to sue companies over royalty disputes following criticism…

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EU sentiment flat as services optimism offsets industry gloom

BRUSSELS, April 27 (Reuters) - Euro zone economic sentiment was broadly unchanged overall in April, as a pick-up among consumers and retail and services sectors offset a more gloomy view…

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The revamped EU drug laws

By Maggie Fick LONDON, April 26 - The EU is revamping laws governing the 136 billion euro ($148 billion) pharmaceuticals industry aimed at reviving investment and boosting access to affordable…

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EU agrees binding green fuel targets for aviation

By Kate Abnett and Sudip Kar-Gupta BRUSSELS, April 26 (Reuters) - The European Union has agreed a deal to set binding targets for airlines in Europe to increase their use…

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EU publishes proposed drug laws overhaul, setting up tussle with industry

Reforms will be biggest changes to EU's medical laws in 20 years EU says new incentives system will improve access to medicines Pharma industry warns it will invest and innovate…

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UPDATED: China says it respects sovereignty of ex-Soviet states, after EU uproar over Ukraine comment

By Andrew Gray and Ingrid Melander LUXEMBOURG, April 24 (Reuters) - China respects the status of former Soviet member states as sovereign nations, its foreign ministry said on Monday, after…

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EU will keep pushing for settlement in Sudan, Borrell says

LUXEMBOURG, April 24 (Reuters) - The European Union will keep working for a political settlement to the conflict in Sudan despite the recent evacuation of diplomatic staff and other EU…

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UPDATED: EU’s Borrell sees deal soon to buy ammunition for Ukraine

By Andrew Gray LUXEMBOURG, April 24 (Reuters) - EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed confidence on Monday that the bloc would finalise a plan within days to buy ammunition…

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China’s cooperation with Europe ‘unlimited’ as with Russia – Chinese envoy

BEIJING, April 24 (Reuters) - China's cooperation with Europe and other nations is "endless" just as its ties with Russia are "unlimited", China's envoy to the European Union said, giving…

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EU court ups the pressure on Italy over tenders for beach licences

ROME, (Reuters) - The European Union this week raised the pressure on Italy over freeing up the market for beach club licences, which the bloc's court of justice said must…

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EU updates bank crisis rules to strengthen taxpayer shield

(Reuters) - The European Union set out draft reforms to rules for closing down failing banks this week. The original rules were introduced after the 2007-09 global financial crisis when…

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EU’s top court rules Italy can’t allow beach concessions to keep control of the sandy shore

Italy can't allow beach clubs to keep control of the sandy shore until 2033, the European Union's top court ruled on Thursday. While Italy's seafront is public property, large parts…

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Belgian EU official shot in Sudan

Wim Fransen, the head of the EU’s humanitarian agency in Sudan, was shot amid fighting in the country’s capital Khartoum on Tuesday, a European Commission spokesperson said. The spokesperson confirmed…

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EU excess deaths back to pre-pandemic levels

For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no excess deaths in the EU, according to data from February. While the figure is an average…

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EU ready to cover half of Messina Bridge study cost

The EU is ready to cover half of the cost of studies into the Messina Bridge project, Italy's transport ministry (MIT) said Wednesday. Brussels is ready to cover 50 per…

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EU plans to prevent taxpayer cash being used to save failing banks

By Huw Jones (Reuters) - The European Union proposed making it harder for states to pour billions of euros of aid into an ailing bank, as Italy did with Monte…

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EU prolongs flexibility on auto deals for distribution, repairs

BRUSSELS, April 17 (Reuters) - The European Commission has prolonged for five years rules giving the auto industry freer rein to conclude agreements with distributors, spare part retailers and repair…

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EU calls for restraint, calm amid Israel-Palestinian clashes

BRUSSELS, April 8 (Reuters) - EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Saturday condemned the escalating violence between Israel and the Palestinians, urging all parties to exercise restraint and promote…

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EU likely to clinch deal on Chips Act on April 18

By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS, April 5 (Reuters) - EU countries and lawmakers are likely to clinch a deal on a multi-billion euro plan to boost the bloc's semiconductor industry…

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Post-Brexit checks on EU goods coming into UK to be streamlined

LONDON, April 5 (Reuters) - Post-Brexit checks on goods coming to the UK from the European Union are set to be streamlined under a new model which is due to…

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Italian delays over Recovery plan negative for rating – Scope

By Sara Rossi and Alessia Pe MILAN, April 3 (Reuters) - Significant delays in Italian efforts to meet the targets in its pandemic Recovery Plan would likely lower the country's…

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EU preparing 2040 emissions cut target to combat climate change

By Kate Abnett BRUSSELS, April 3 (Reuters) - The European Union is moving ahead with plans to set an emissions-cutting target for 2040, a milestone to steer the world's third-biggest…

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China more repressive at home, assertive abroad – EU’s von der Leyen

BRUSSELS, March 30 (Reuters) - China's targeting of other countries to ensure they comply with its wishes and its human rights record point to an overall hardening of its posture,…

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UPDATED: EU reaches deal on more ambitious renewable energy targets for 2030

BRUSSELS, March 30 (Reuters) - European Union negotiators struck a political deal on Thursday on more ambitious targets to expand the use of renewable energy by 2030, an important pillar…

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UPDATED: Germany, EU reach deal on future use of combustion engines

FRANKFURT/BRUSSELS, March 25 (Reuters) - The European Union and Germany have reached a deal on the future use of combustion engines, officials said on Saturday, an issue that has been…

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Georgia belongs in European Union, says German foreign minister

TBILISI, March 24 (Reuters) - Georgia belongs in the European Union, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in Tbilisi on Friday. Speaking during an official visit, Baerbock said Germany would…

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ECB to reassure EU leaders on bank stability, call for EU deposit insurance

By Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS, March 24 (Reuters) - The European Central Bank is likely to reassure European Union leaders on Friday that euro zone banks are safe after market turbulence…

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UPDATED: Food security, ammunition in focus as EU leaders discuss Ukraine war with UN chief

UN chief Guterres is guest at EU summit Ukraine Zelenskiy due to address summit by video link Impact of war on global food security tops summit agenda Leaders also to…

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EU moves towards limiting carbon emissions from shipping

BRUSSELS, March 23 (Reuters) - EU countries on Thursday reached a preliminary agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime sector by increasing the use of renewable fuels on…

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UPDATED: EU, Germany edge towards solution on combustion engine row

By Kate Abnett and Philip Blenkinsop BRUSSELS, March 23 (Reuters) - Germany and the European Union are on course to resolve a dispute over the bloc's planned 2035 phaseout of…

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UPDATED: EU leaders back steps to compete with US, China

By Philip Blenkinsop BRUSSELS, March 23 (Reuters) - European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to back a revamp of the single market, simplified regulations and other steps to ensure the…

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Germany’s Transport Ministry sees no need to rush combustion engine phase-out deal with EU

BERLIN, March 23 (Reuters) - Germany's Transport Minister Volker Wissing rejected calls for a quick agreement with the European Commission over a phase-out of combustion engines after 2035, saying Germany…

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