European Union

WATCH: War is warning to EU Member States to improve defence capabilities – von der Leyen

The Russian invasion of Ukraine served as a sharp warning to Member States to improve their defence capabilities, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during a press briefing on…

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Officials say EU may clinch summit deal to sanction Russian oil shipments

BRUSSELS, May 27 (Reuters) - European Union countries are negotiating a deal on Russian oil sanctions that would embargo shipment deliveries but delay sanctions on oil delivered by pipeline to win over…

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Polish Parliament approves judicial reforms to unblock EU funds

Poland's Parliament on Thursday voted in favour of a bill that will replace a contested disciplinary chamber for judges with a new body, clearing the way for the country to…

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Centrist MEPs irked at objections to North Macedonia’s EU accession process

The European Council's persistent lack of consensus on launching accession discussions with North Macedonia has come under fire by centrist MEPs of the Renew political grouping. The MEPs lamented that…

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EU’s von der Leyen says Russia is using food supplies as a weapon

Russia is using food supplies as a weapon with global repercussions, acting the same way as it does in the energy sector, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday. Speaking at the annual World Economic Forum held in…

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Germany wants Russian oil embargo with or without Hungary – economy minister

BERLIN, May 23 (Reuters) - German Economy Minister Robert Habeck is disappointed that the EU has not yet agreed to an oil embargo targeting Russia, he said in a radio interview, adding…

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EU leaders to green-light plan to quit Russian gas – draft

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Leaders from European Union countries are set to endorse the bloc's plan to wean itself off Russian energy and spend the bloc's COVID-19 recovery fund to do this, according…

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EU leaders to agree to set up Ukraine reconstruction fund, vague on detail

BRUSSELS, May 20 (Reuters) - European Union leaders will agree on May 30 to set up a fund for the reconstruction of Ukraine once the war with Russia ends, but will remain…

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EU exploring ways to use Russian oligarchs’ frozen assets to rebuild Ukraine

BERLIN (Reuters) - The European Union is looking into ways of using the frozen assets of Russian oligarchs to fund the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war, European Commission President Ursula von…

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EU strikes deal on emergency rules to fill gas storage

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Negotiators from European Union countries and lawmakers on Thursday clinched a deal on a law to fill Europe’s gas storage ahead of winter, as they attempt to…

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EU to take Malta to court on higher taxes on imported cars

The European Commission has today decided to refer Malta to the Court of Justice of the European Union for taxing used cars imported from other Member States more heavily than…

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Italy and Spain continue to demand masks on planes as EU drops mask mandate

The EU today ended its bloc-wide mask mandate for flights, meaning airlines are free to issue their own rules for most destinations. However, Italy and Spain are both standing firm…

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EU clarifies how companies can legally pay for Russian gas

BRUSSELS, May 16 (Reuters) - The European Commission has confirmed how European Union companies can pay for Russian gas without breaching the bloc's sanctions against Russia, in updated guidance on the issue…

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Ukraine war to slash euro zone 2022 growth, boost inflation -EU

BRUSSELS, May 16 (Reuters) - Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the resulting surge in energy and commodity prices will slash euro zone economic growth this year and next, while boosting inflation to…

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UPDATED: EU ministers urge Hungary to sign up to planned Russian oil embargo

BRUSSELS, May 16 (Reuters) - EU foreign ministers sought to publicly pressure Hungary on Monday to lift its veto on a proposed oil embargo on Russia, with Lithuania saying the bloc was…

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EU seeks bigger role in Asia’s ‘theatre of tensions’, agrees with Japan on Russia cooperation

TOKYO, May 12 (Reuters) - European Union leaders said on Thursday that the EU wants to become a bigger actor in Asia, which they termed a "theatre of tensions", as they warned…

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EU seeks to ease rules on seizing sanctioned oligarchs’ assets

BRUSSELS, May 11 (Reuters) - The European Commission is preparing new rules that would make it easier for EU governments to confiscate assets of oligarchs and other wealthy individuals hit…

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EU moves to better protect children against online sexual abuse

AMSTERDAM, May 11 (Reuters) - The European Union outlined plans on Wednesday to better protect children against online sexual abuse, obliging internet service providers to detect, report and remove any such material…

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Presidents Metsola, Macron call for convention to discuss EU reform

Updated 1500 French President Emmanuel Macron backed calls on Monday for a convention to discuss possible changes to the treaties that govern the European Union. Macron said he is "in favour…

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EXPLAINER-Why the EU may find it tough to squeeze out Russian oil

LONDON, (Reuters) - The European Union has proposed a phased embargo of Russian oil but could find it tricky to implement, given Europe's complex distribution network and challenges in tracking crude once…

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Belarus bans EU-registered carriers from transporting heavy cargo in country

May 6 (Reuters) - Belarus said on Friday that it is banning carriers registered in the European Union from transporting heavy cargo on its territory. "A ban is introduced for carriers registered…

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UPDATED: EU tweaks Russia oil sanctions plan in bid to win over reluctant states – sources

BRUSSELS, May 6 (Reuters) - The European Commission has proposed changes to its planned embargo on Russian oil in a bid to win over reluctant states, three EU sources told Reuters on…

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EXPLAINER-What would be the impact of Russian oil sanctions in Europe?

LONDON, (Reuters) - The European Union has proposed a phased embargo of Russian oil, tightening its sanctions on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. What would the impact be of banning Russian…

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China’s COVID controls makes EU firms consider shifting investments – chamber

SHENZHEN, China, May 5 (Reuters) - European businesses in China are increasingly looking to shift their investments to other markets due to the country's strict COVID-19 containment measures and supply chain disruptions,…

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French energy minister expects EU consensus on Russian oil ban by end of week

May 5 (Reuters) - The French environment and energy minister, Barbara Pompili, on Thursday said she was confident European Union member states will reach a consensus on how to end…

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EU citizens may sue countries for health-damaging dirty air, top court adviser says

BRUSSELS, May 5 (Reuters) - Citizens in European Union countries may be able to sue their governments for financial compensation if illegal levels of air pollution damage their health, an adviser to…

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EU’s toughest Russia sanctions yet snag on worries over oil ban

The European Union's executive on Wednesday proposed the toughest package of sanctions yet against Moscow for its war in Ukraine, but several countries worried about the impact of cutting off…

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EU proposes to ban in a month’s time shipping, financing services for Russian oil, UK issues new sanctions

BRUSSELS, May 4 (Reuters) - The European Commission has proposed to ban in a month's time all shipping, brokerage, insurance and financing services offered by EU companies for the transport of Russian…

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FACTBOX: EU proposes toughest sanctions yet against Russia

BRUSSELS, May 4 (Reuters) - The European Commission on Wednesday proposed its sixth and toughest round of sanctions against Russia yet that could be signed off by ambassadors of EU governments later…

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Draghi calls on Europe to “speed up integration process” in view of current crises

Prime Minister Mario Draghi noted that the sum of the current crises Europe is facing - the war in Ukraine, the increase in energy prices and refugees’ arrivals - “forces…

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EU leans towards Russian oil ban by year-end

BRUSSELS, May 1 (Reuters) - The European Union is leaning towards a ban on imports of Russian oil by the end of the year, two EU diplomats said, after talks between the…

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EU employment rate above pre-COVID levels in 2021 – Eurostat

The employment rate in the European Union climbed back above 2019 levels last year, as the labour market started recovering from the pandemic, the bloc's statistics office said on Thursday.…

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EU to suspend tariffs on Ukraine imports for one year, Kyiv grateful

The European Commission proposed on Wednesday a one-year suspension of import duties on all Ukrainian goods not covered by an existing free trade deal to help the country's economy during the war…

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EU proposes law to curb SLAPP lawsuits meant to silence journalists, rights advocates

BRUSSELS, April 27 (Reuters) - The European Union executive proposed on Wednesday laws to curb excessive litigation aimed at silencing critical journalists and rights advocates by governments and businesses, a form of…

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UPDATED: EU brands Russian gas halt ‘blackmail’, working on response

The EU's chief executive on Wednesday branded as "blackmail" Russian giant Gazprom's move to halt supplies to some European customers, but said the bloc was working on a coordinated response…

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Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation nominated for European Citizen’s Prize

The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation has been nominated for the prestigious European Citizen’s Prize. MEP David Casa nominated the Foundation and hailed it for its work promoting the rule of…

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EU, India agree to broaden ties amid Ukraine war

The European Union (EU) and India agreed on Monday to set up a trade and technology council to step up cooperation, as the bloc's chief held talks with officials in New Delhi who…

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EU sees way to pay for Russian gas without breaching sanctions

EU companies may be able to work around Russia's demand to receive gas payments in roubles without breaching sanctions if they pay in euros or dollars which are then converted…

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UPDATED: Moldova protests to Russia over comments by top military commander

(Reuters) - The Moldovan foreign ministry said it had summoned Moscow’s ambassador on Friday to express “deep concern” about comments by a top military commander, who suggested the country’s Russian-speaking…

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Europe suffered year of climate chaos in 2021 – EU report

April 22 (Reuters) - Europeans endured the hottest summer on record last year, with wildfires, floods and intense heatwaves hitting the continent, according to a report by EU scientists released Friday. Summer temperatures were…

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EU countries edge towards deal to share out emissions-cutting efforts

BRUSSELS, April 21 (Reuters) - European Union countries are edging towards a deal on how to share the burden of cutting greenhouse gas emissions within the EU, with states poised to accept…

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EU works to cut cost of Russia oil ban to win over sceptics

BRUSSELS, April 20 (Reuters) - The European Commission is working to speed up the availability of alternative energy supplies to try to cut the cost of banning Russian oil and persuade Germany…

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Photo Story: Speakers of parliaments of the EU countries visit Polish Ukrainian border in Dorohusk

Parliamentary Speakers of the European Union countries Eløbieta Witek (2-R) of Poland, Inara Murniece (3-L) of Latvia, Christine Schwarz Fuchs (R) of Austria, Eliane Tillieux (L) of Belgium and Anita…

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European crypto industry steps up efforts to influence EU policy

More than 40 crypto business leaders have asked the European Union not to require crypto firms to disclose transaction details and dial down attempts to bring to heel rapidly growing decentralised finance…

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Ukraine completes questionnaire for EU membership – official

Ukraine has completed a questionnaire which will form a starting point for the European Union to decide on membership for Kyiv, Ihor Zhovkva, deputy head of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's office, said. European Commission…

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Explainer: The case for and against EU sanctions on Russian oil

European Union countries on Thursday approved a ban on Russian coal imports from August as part of new measures against Moscow, but are split over whether oil or gas sanctions…

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EU boosts Ukrainian humanitarian aid with additional €50 million

As heavy fighting and missile strikes continue to destroy critical civilian infrastructure, humanitarian needs in Ukraine remain extremely high. Despite access and security constraints, EU humanitarian partners are providing assistance…

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From Murano glass to Donegal tweed, EU wants to protect its crafts

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - From Murano glass and Donegal tweed to Porcelaine de Limoges, the European Union wants to protect its traditional crafts and industrial products with new rules that will make it…

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EU closes loophole allowing multimillion-euro arms sales to Russia

The European Union has closed a loophole that allowed EU governments to export weapons worth tens of millions of euros to Russia last year alone despite an embargo which took effect in 2014…

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EU regulators to send extra antitrust charge to Apple in music streaming probe

EU antitrust regulators are preparing an additional charge against Apple in an investigation triggered by a complaint from Spotify , as EU enforcers strengthen their case, a person familiar with the matter…

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EXPLAINER-What will the EU do about Hungary’s Orban?

BRUSSELS, (Reuters) - Emboldened by his landslide electoral victory, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has raised the stakes in his many fights with the European Union - ranging from liberal democratic rights…

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Ukraine expects to be granted EU candidate country status in June

A Ukrainian government minister said she expects Ukraine to be granted EU candidate country status in June. Olga Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, said her…

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EU offers speedy start for Ukraine membership, resuming diplomatic presence in Kyiv

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said the civilian deaths in the Ukrainian town of Bucha showed the "cruel face" of Russia's army and pledged to try to speed…

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Evidence of war crimes in Ukraine must be collected, EU commissioner says

PRAGUE, April 8 (Reuters) - Testimony and other evidence of suspected war crimes in Ukraine after Russia's invasion must be collected from fleeing refugees so the acts will not go unpunished, EU Home Affairs…

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Non-EU airlines liable for compensation for delays, EU’s top court says

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The EU's top court on Thursday cleared the way for passengers to seek compensation for delayed flights from non-EU airlines operating flights on behalf carriers from within the bloc.…

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UPDATED: EU leaders arrive in Ukraine to reassure Zelenskiy on membership

KYIV, April 8 (Reuters) - The European Commission chief and the EU's top diplomat arrived in Kyiv on Friday to offer Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy support and reassurance over his bid for…

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EU proposes 500 million euros more for arms to Ukraine

The European Council chief Charles Michel on Thursday backed a proposal to release an additional 500 million euros ($540 million) to provide arms for Ukraine. “Once swiftly approved this will bring…

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