European Union

Merz, Macron, Meloni urge new EU drive to cut red tape

The leaders of 19 European Union countries have urged the bloc to launch a new drive to "review, reduce and restrain" legislation to make the EU more economically competitive, according…

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EU Weighs Partial Membership Plan to Ease Enlargement Deadlock

New countries could join the European Union without full voting rights, in a move aimed at easing opposition from leaders such as Hungary’s Viktor Orbán to Ukraine’s membership. The proposal,…

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EU chief tells Serbia to act on reforms

The European Union’s top official on Wednesday told Serbia’s populist leader to “get concrete” about its proclaimed goal of joining the 27-nation bloc, including implementing sanctions against traditional ally Russia.…

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Europe’s new biometric border checks: what do non-EU travellers need to know?

The European Union is preparing to dispense with passport stamps in favour of a new digital border management system. Australians and citizens of other non-EU countries travelling to Europe from…

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Hungary found to have sent agents to spy on EU

A report published in the Belgian newspaper De Tijd on Thursday revealed that the Hungarian intelligence service has for years been using a secret spy network in the European Union…

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Moscow Warns of ‘Serious Escalation’ if U.S. Sends Tomahawks, Pledges Reply to EU Curbs

The Kremlin said Tuesday it was awaiting clear signals from Washington on a possible U.S. supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, while also warning that Russia would respond to…

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Europe Tightens the Net on Moscow’s Shadow Network

EU governments have agreed to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats within the bloc, responding to a surge in sabotage attempts that intelligence agencies say are often directed by spies…

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Europe has essentially become irrelevant: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu

Europe has been absent from a ceasefire plan between Israel and Hamas because it has "basically caved in to Palestinian terrorism (and) radical Islamist minorities," Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu…

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EU Leaders Back Plan for ‘Drone Wall,’ Eye Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine Aid

EU leaders gathered in Copenhagen gave "broad support" to proposals to ramp up the development of drone and anti-drone technology and to use immobilised Russian assets to loan money to…

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UPDATED: Europe Vows Unity Against Russian Provocations Amid Calls to Cut Red Tape

European leaders pledged to resist Russian attempts to sow discord while debating how to strengthen the bloc’s economic competitiveness and reduce regulatory burdens, during talks in Copenhagen on Monday. European…

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EU housing plan to tackle speculation, short-term rentals

Brussels’ upcoming plan to take on the EU’s housing crisis will include measures curbing real estate speculation, Housing Commissioner Dan Jørgensen announced Monday. "There is no room in Europe for…

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EU steps up ‘drone wall’ talks after Russian incursions

Talks are intensifying about a so-called drone wall to protect Europe's eastern borders from the Kremlin after a series of airspace violations by Russian warplanes and unmanned aerial vehicles. Seven…

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Finland says no to more joint EU debt

Finland is opposed to a European Commission proposal that the European Union be able to take on more joint debt, Finance Minister Riikka Purra said on Friday. The European Commission…

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EU Commission proposes suspending free-trade arrangements on Israeli goods

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed suspending a trade arrangement affecting about 5.8 billion euros ($6.87 billion) of Israeli exports due to the Gaza war, although the measure does not…

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UPDATE: EU won’t discuss new Russia sanctions package on Wed, no new date set

The European Union's 19th package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine was removed from the agenda of a meeting of EU government representatives in Brussels on Wednesday,…

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Russia warns Europe: we will go after any state which takes our assets

Russia on Monday warned it would go after any European state that sought to take its assets after reports that the European Union is looking for new ways to leverage…

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Von der Leyen Urges Strategic Autonomy for Europe in Face of War, Rising Tensions

The European Union’s most powerful official warned Wednesday that Europe is battling against a series of threats posed by Russia, new global trade challenges and even other major world powers…

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Montenegro hopes to join EU and euro zone in 2028

Montenegro hopes to join the European Union and the euro zone in 2028, Prime Minister Milojko Spajic said on Tuesday, in what would mark some progress in the EU's stalled…

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Majority of Online Gambling in Europe Found to Be Illegal

Illegal gambling operators control 71% of the European Union’s online betting and casino market, with revenues reaching €80.65 billion, as regulators struggle to crack down on cryptocurrency casinos and illicit…

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EU pushes for reduced US autos tariff from August 1 as joint text limits exemptions

The European Union will work to ensure lower U.S. tariffs on its car exports are applied retroactively to August 1, the bloc's trade chief said on Thursday, as the transatlantic…

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EU’s Costa Ukraine’s membership process must go forward

European Council President Antonio Costa said the process to make Ukraine a member of the European Union needs to advance and Europe has to be part of future peace negotiations…

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Asylum applications in the EU up to 54,780 in May 2025

In May 2025, 54 780 first-time asylum applicants (non-EU citizens) applied for international protection in EU countries, marking a 30% decrease compared with May 2024 (77 945) and a 12% increase compared…

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UPDATED: 26 EU leaders say Ukraine should have freedom to decide its future

Ukrainians must have the freedom to decide their own future, European Union member states said on Tuesday, weighing in ahead of talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President…

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EU Foreign Ministers Summoned for Special Session on Ukraine

The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said that any deal between the US and Russia should involve Ukraine and the EU and convened a meeting of foreign ministers on Monday…

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EU to suspend US tariff countermeasures for 6 months

The European Union will suspend its two packages of countermeasures to U.S. tariffs for six months following a deal with U.S. President Donald Trump, a Commission spokesperson said on Monday.…

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EU to start rolling out biometrics entry system for non-EU visitors from October

The EU entry exit system (EES) system is being introduced ahead of the midterm break on schools and will impact any tourists or business travellers who are not EU citizens,…

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EU capitals ask Brussels for nearly €130B to spend on defense

Eighteen countries requested €127 billion in cheap loans from the European Commission by Tuesday’s deadline to boost their defense and potentially buy arms for Ukraine. In a major win for…

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New liquid rules apply only at select airports, Commission says

The European Commission aid it will allow some high-tech C3 scanners to be used again at airports to allow passengers to take up to 2 liters of liquids through security…

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US and EU avert trade war with 15% tariff deal

The U.S. struck a framework trade agreement with the European Union on Sunday, imposing a 15% import tariff on most EU goods - half the threatened rate - and averting…

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EU says all options on table if Israel does not deliver on improving Gaza aid

Israel has made some efforts towards improving the delivery of humanitarian aid to the population in Gaza, but the situation remains dire, an European Commission spokesperson said on Thursday. He…

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China’s Xi calls for ‘proper handling of frictions’ at tense summit with EU officials

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged top European Union officials on Thursday to "properly handle differences and frictions" as he criticised Brussels's recent trade actions against Beijing at a tense summit…

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A New World Dawns: Von der Leyen Declares End of Postwar Order

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday warned that recent political convulsions have permanently reshaped the established world order. The specter of Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s war in…

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Western diplomatic chiefs, EU Commissioner Lahbib condemn Israel’s treatment of Gaza civilians

The foreign ministers of 28 nations and the EU’s humanitarian aid commissioner condemned Israel for what they termed “the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including…

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European Union Signals Regulatory Clampdown on Temu and Shein

Michael McGrath, the European Union's justice commissioner, expressed his determination to crack down on the sale of goods that do not comply with EU regulations on major Chinese e-commerce platforms…

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EU approves new Russia sanctions with lower oil price cap

The European Union on Friday agreed an 18th package of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine, including measures aimed at dealing further blows to the Russian oil and…

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EU eases Schengen visa rules for Turks

The European Union has eased rules for Turks to use its open-border Schengen area, the bloc's ambassador to Ankara said on Friday, calling for the urgent revival of negotiations on…

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Slovakia to allow approval of new EU sanctions on Russia on Friday, PM Fico says

Slovakia will stop blocking the approval of the 18th package of European Union sanctions against Russia on Friday, Prime Minister Robert Fico said. Fico said on Thursday Slovakia had achieved…

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European Commission proposes EU budget of €1.816 trillion

The European Commission has proposed a central EU budget of €1.816 trillion for the seven-year period from 2028 after days of fraught internal negotiations. That figure would represent an increase…

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EU fails to approve new Russia sanctions, ball now in Slovakia’s court, says EU foreign chief

The European Union did not approve the 18th Russia sanctions package on Tuesday, the EU's foreign chief Kaja Kallas said after a meeting with EU foreign ministers in Brussels. She…

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EU targets Boeing, bourbon for potential tariffs on US goods

The European Commission is targeting 72 billion euros ($84.1 billion) worth of U.S. goods - from Boeing aircraft and bourbon whiskey to cars - for possible tariffs if trade talks…

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French wine and cheese makers say U.S. tariffs would hit hard

French cheese and wine producers have warned of the damaging impact that U.S. President Donald Trump's threatened 30% tariffs on imports from the EU would have on the country's agriculture…

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Trump demands more concessions as EU holds off on US tariff countermeasures

The European Union said on Sunday it would extend its suspension of countermeasures to U.S. tariffs until early August and continue to press for a negotiated settlement as U.S. President…

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Citizens’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU in 2025

The latest edition of the Eurobarometer survey offers a comprehensive insight into how corruption is perceived and experienced across the European Union. Conducted regularly since 2005, this survey examines a…

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EU weighs suspending Israel ties over Gaza crisis

Suspending part of the EU-Israel Association Agreement could be on the cards over reports the country isbreaching its human rights obligations in Gaza. A leaked draft of the European Union’s list of potential…

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EU announces 2.3 billion euros in Ukraine reconstruction support

The European Commission announced 2.3 billion euros ($2.7 billion) in support to Ukraine on Thursday to help it rebuild after the damage caused by Russia's full-scale invasion.The funds include 1.8…

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EU Diplomatic Setback Coincides with Heightened Military Activity Near Tripoli

The United Nations on Wednesday urged all Libyan factions to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and military maneuvers around Tripoli, warning of the risk of renewed conflict, as tensions mount following…

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Libya’s eastern-based government bars entry of EU migration commissioner, three ministers including Malta’s

Libyan officials ordered EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner and several senior European ministers to leave the country. cdBrunner, on a diplomatic mission with government ministers from Italy, Greece and Malta,…

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EU examines US proposal of 10% tariffs but concerns remain on sectoral tariffs

A preliminary agreement is expected by Wednesday, according to sources, with implementation planned by 1 August. Negotiations are accelerating to secure exemptions from a baseline 10% tariff in some strategic…

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Dublin System 2024 in Review: Fewer Requests, Comparable Transfers

In 2024, EU countries sent 151 830 outgoing requests to transfer the responsibility to examine asylum applications to other EU countries, and implemented 16 455 outgoing transfers. Compared with the previous year,…

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Moldova urges EU to advance membership talks to counter Moscow

Moldova wants to start membership negotiations with the European Union in earnest before a September election to counter Russian disinformation in the country about the EU, Deputy Prime Minister Cristina…

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Denmark’s key priorities for upcoming EU presidency

Denmark has set its sights on boosting European competitiveness, safeguarding climate ambitions, and strengthening security as it prepares to take over the rotating presidency of the European Union next week.…

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EU alliance with Pacific rim could lead to WTO redesign, von der Leyen says

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said cooperation with Pacific rim countries could serve as a basis to redesign the World Trade Organization (WTO), which is struggling for relevance…

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‘Double standards’: Spain slams EU inaction on Israel deal

In the wake of a damning EU review of Israel's human rights record in Gaza, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez slammed his colleagues for not moving to suspend a trade…

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Canada signs defense pact with EU

Scrambling to reduce Canada's dependence on the Donald Trump-led U.S., the country's Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday signed a security and defense partnership with the European Union. The aim…

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Denmark to push for Ukraine’s EU membership during presidency

Denmark will continue preparing Ukraine for EU membership in the face of Hungary blocking negotiations, when the Nordic country takes over the presidency of the European Council from July 1,…

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Not the time to mess with EU-US trade, EU’s Costa says

Europe and the United States should focus on how the bloc takes more responsibility for its defence rather than creating economic uncertainty through trade tensions, European Union President Antonio Costa…

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EU’s new Russia sanctions to target energy sector and banks

The European Commission proposed on Tuesday an 18th package of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, aimed at Moscow's energy revenues, its banks and its military industry. The…

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