European Union

EU faces dangerous dilemma over financing battle

Poland's and Hungary's veto of the European Union's 1.8 trillion euro financing package has plunged the bloc into a battle that threatens to damage both its economy and unity at…

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EU gets down to details in search for deal on new climate target

The European Union is offering assurances on funding for poorer members and countries' ability to choose their own energy mix, as it strives for a deal next week on a…

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EU urges countries to keep COVID in check over festive season

The European Union on Wednesday urged countries to reinforce their healthcare systems and coordinate restrictions on social gatherings ahead of the Christmas holiday season, to avoid a resurgence of COVID-19…

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U.S., EU must end trade disputes, Brussels says in Biden wish-list

The European Union and the United States should resolve their trade disputes after U.S. President-elect Joe Biden takes office in January in a "new transatlantic agenda", the EU executive said…

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EU warns of risks of COVID-19 vaccine race after UK approval of Pfizer shot

The European Union's drug watchdog and lawmakers warned against hasty approvals of COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday, after Britain granted emergency authorisation to the experimental COVID-19 shot being developed by Pfizer…

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Berlusconi puts Italian government in trouble over EU bailout fund

Italian former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi said his Forza Italia opposition party would not back a reform of the euro zone bailout fund, a move that puts the government in…

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MEPs to grill Frontex director on agency’s role in pushbacks of asylum-seekers

MEPs are set to demand answers from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency’s Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri regarding the incidents revealed by media in which Greek coastguards -with the…

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EU to launch no-deal contingency steps if no deal with UK by mid-week

The European Union will launch contingency measures on Wednesday or Thursday if it has been unable to reach agreement by then with Britain on a trade deal, a senior EU…

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EU drugs watchdog expects first application for COVID-19 vaccine in days

Europe's drugs watchdog said on Thursday it expects to receive the first application for conditional marketing approval for a COVID-19 vaccine "in the coming days", the latest step towards making…

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EU completes SURE issuance for 2020; Commissioner still hopeful of budget deal

The European Union has completed debt issuance for this year to fund its SURE unemployment scheme, Commissioner for Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn told Reuters on Thursday. It has raised…

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Tech giants face fines or even break-up if they breach new rules – EU’s Breton

Tech giants that break new EU rules aimed at curbing their powers could face fines, be ordered to change their practices or even be forced to break up their European…

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Britain wants to strike a free-trade deal with the European Union

Britain wants to strike a free-trade deal with the European Union, but the short-term impact of not doing so will be overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, British Finance Minister Rishi…

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EU approves Malta Budget but forecasts lower growth than Govt for 2021

The European Commission has green-lighted Malta's budget for 2021, noting that it was largely in line with Council recommendations made earlier this year, with most initiatives intended to supporting economic…

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EU survey confirms citizens’ call for EU to have more powers to tackle pandemic

In the grip of the second wave of coronavirus, two thirds of EU citizens call for more EU competence and an EU budget with sufficient means to tackle the crisis.…

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EU auditors see uphill battle for EU antitrust regulators versus big tech

EU antitrust enforcers face an uphill battle in tackling tech giants abusing their dominance because of the difficulty of finding remedies, the EU's budget watchdog said on Thursday in its…

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“Strategic Compass”: EU considers military doctrine, new tank development

The European Union aims to draw up a master military strategy document to define future threats, goals and ambitions in defence while focusing on six new areas of joint weapons…

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EU Bishops call for solidarity and hope on path towards better future

The Bishops of Europe have addressed a message of hope and a call to solidarity to European Institutions and Member states amid the health crisis that has overwhelmed the world…

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UPDATED: Europe plans mammoth expansion of offshore wind farms

The European Union unveiled plans on Thursday to transform its electricity system to rely mostly on renewables within a decade and increase its offshore wind energy capacity 25-fold by 2050.…

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Hungary reiterates it cannot back EU budget in its present form

Hungary cannot accept the European Union's budget and post-COVID recovery package in its present form as it amounts to "blackmail", Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff reiterated on Thursday.…

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France says countries could move ahead on EU budget without Poland, Hungary

European leaders could push ahead with a post-coronavirus recovery fund and European Union budget without Hungary and Poland as a last resort should they continue to block the adoption of…

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Majority in the EU approved of bloc’s handling of first coronavirus wave

The majority of people in the EU approved of the bloc's response to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new Pew Research Centre study carried out…

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Hungary vetoed EU budget because of immigration ‘blackmail’, says PM Orban

Hungary vetoed the European Union's 2021-2027 budget and post-coronavirus recovery fund because they would have forced it to accept immigration, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Wednesday. Hungary, together with…

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Germany says Polish and Hungarian citizens will pay price for EU blockade

European Union members who reject the rule of law mechanism must be aware that their citizens will have to pay a price for this stance, German Europe Minister Michael Roth…

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Privacy activist files complaints against Apple’s tracking tool

A group led by privacy activist Max Schrems filed complaints on Monday with German and Spanish data protection authorities over Apple's online tracking tool, saying it breached European law by…

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Poland should veto EU budget, Justice Minister says

Poland should veto the European Union budget over an EU attempt to tie rule of law to EU funding, Poland's Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro said on Monday. "Now is the…

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Macron: Europe needs its own sovereignty in defence, even with new U.S. government

Europe still needs its own independent and sovereign defence strategy, even if it is dealing with a new U.S. government which may result in friendlier ties, French President Emmanuel Macron…

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UPDATED: Hungary to raise political veto over EU budget on rule-of-law conditions

Hungary plans to veto the European Union's 2021-27 budget and its post-COVID recovery scheme over a proposal to make funding conditional on member states' adherence to the rule of law,…

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Bulgaria to block EU accession talks with North Macedonia

Bulgaria plans to voice its opposition on Tuesday to starting European Union accession talks with neighbouring North Macedonia as the two countries have yet to settle disputes over history and…

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Funds in EU told to better prepare for market shocks

Fund managers must improve readiness for shocks after the fallout from COVID-19 on markets in March revealed shortcomings, the European Union's securities watchdog said on Friday. Funds exposed to real…

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Switzerland tries to revive stalled EU treaty

Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga called European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday to outline Bern's proposal to unblock a stalled bilateral treaty, von der Leyen said in a…

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Poland threatens to veto EU 2021-2027 budget over rule of law condition

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has sent a letter to European Union institutions threatening to veto its 2021-2027 budget if access to EU funds is made conditional on governments respecting…

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EU condemns China’s latest move on Hong Kong

The European Union called on Beijing on Thursday to immediately reverse new rules to disqualify elected legislators, saying the decision was a "severe blow" to the former British colony's autonomy.…

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European Commission takes first steps towards European Health Union

The European Commission is taking the first steps towards building the European Health Union announced by President von der Leyen in her State of the Union address. The Commission is putting forward…

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EP adopts Recovery and Resilience Facility in bid to help EU countries tackle effects of pandemic

The European Parliament has adopted the Recovery and Resilience Facility, an instrument designed to help EU countries tackling the effects and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Budgets and Economic…

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Euro zone investor morale worsens in November but beats forecast

Investor morale in the euro zone fell for a second consecutive month in November but the drop was not as bad as feared because lockdowns imposed to curb the spread…

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European leaders to discuss initiative against Islamist extremism: sources

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will take part in a phone call with other European leaders to discuss an initiative against Islamist extremism on Tuesday, two participants in a call with…

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EU has great expectations of new US President

The European Union has "great expectations" of a new U.S. president and hopes the United States will re-engage in multilateral trade talks, EU officials said on Monday. EU ministers responsible…

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EU edges towards agreement on multi-year budget

The European Union edged towards finalising its next 1.8 trillion euro ($2.12 trillion) budget and COVID recovery package on Thursday after an agreement that countries breaching rule of law commitments…

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Britain sets up share trading clash with EU

Banks and asset managers in Britain can use exchanges from the European Union to trade shares from January, Britain's financial regulator said on Wednesday, creating a cross-border clash in securities…

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European leaders react with caution as U.S. election scenario unfolds

European politicians have cautioned patience after Donald Trump falsely claimed victory in the US election in the early hours of Wednesday morning, warning that a drawn-out court battle over the…

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Brexit talks go into another week as EU, UK push to salvage trade deal

EU and British Brexit negotiators will continue talks in Brussels on Monday and until around mid-week, sources on both sides said on Sunday, in a sign both sides are still…

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EU antitrust chief does not see breakup of tech giants

Splitting up large tech companies such as Google and Facebook will not be necessary, Europe's antitrust chief was quoted as saying on Sunday. European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager is due…

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Bulgaria says North Macedonia must address historical issues or face delay on EU path

Bulgaria has threatened to block North Macedonia’s path towards European Union membership and said it should recognise that both its national identity and language have Bulgarian roots, its foreign minister…

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EU pushes for more transparency from WHO’s members on pandemics

The World Health Organization (WHO) should be given more powers to handle pandemics and its member states should share more information with the agency during health emergencies, European Union officials…

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EU funds lessen pain for Cancer patients and avoid premature deaths

When cancer hits it needs immediate attention. There is no time to waste as a few days can literally make the difference between life and death. It is one of…

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Women seen needing 60+ years to get equal with men in EU

European women are at least 60 years away from winning equality with men and the pandemic could further slow progress, according to a report released on Thursday that measures gender…

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Restrictions needed to battle COVID-19 in Europe, EU says

European Union Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said on Friday that EU countries should be ready to impose restrictions on people's lives to battle the spread of the new coronavirus throughout…

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EU set to deny gas power plants a green investment label

Power plants fuelled by natural gas will not be classed as a sustainable investment in Europe, unless they meet an emissions limit that none currently comply with, according to draft…

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EU to discuss limiting non-essential travel to Europe

European Union health ministers will discuss limiting non-essential travel to Europe at a virtual meeting on Friday, German health minister Jens Spahn said. "The topic of the meeting is also…

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Warning EU at risk of being overwhelmed by coronavirus

The European Union will finance the transfer of patients across borders within the bloc to prevent hospitals from getting overwhelmed as COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations spike in the continent. After…

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EU says escalating Nagorno-Karabakh conflict ‘unacceptable’

The European Union said an escalation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was "unacceptable" and called for new peace talks as Armenia and Azerbaijan once more traded accusations of shelling in and…

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EU Commission proposes rules for adequate minimum wage in EU

The European Commission proposed on Wednesday standards for setting adequate minimum wages across the 27-nation bloc to reduce wage inequality and in-work poverty, increase incentives to work and help sustain…

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EU leaders seek common ground on COVID tests as virus spreads

EU leaders aim to make progress on common testing and vaccination strategies at a video conference on Thursday and step up coordination in fighting the fast-expanding COVID-19 pandemic, officials said.…

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Supply of potential COVID-19 vaccines to start in earnest in April – EU’s von der Leyen

The delivery of potential COVID-19 vaccines to European Union countries could begin in earnest in April, the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday. "The…

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UPDATED: European Council President Charles Michel says EU to have 3 or 4 vaccines by 2021

European Council President Charles Michel said on Wednesday that "three or four" safe and effective vaccines against coronavirus are likely to be approved by the end of the year or…

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Pope Francis expresses dream of a Europe of solidarity and respect for all peoples

Pope Francis, in a letter to Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, shares his visions of a Europe of the future, marked with solidarity, friendship and unity, and true…

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Belgium becomes EU nation with highest rate of COVID-19 infections

The Belgian government will convene on Friday to decide on a potential new national lockdown with the country now suffering the highest rate of coronavirus infections per 100,000 citizens, according…

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