European Commission

The European Commission upholds the general interest of the European Union and is the driving force in the EU's institutional system. Its four main roles are to propose legislation to Parliament and the Council, to administer and implement Community policies, to enforce Community law (jointly with the Court of Justice) and to negotiate international agreements, mainly those relating to trade and cooperation.

EU tells Bulgaria to step up anti-corruption drive — 28 August 2008, 00:13 CET

EU Commissioner Guenter Verheugen urged Bulgaria on Wednesday to step up its fight against crime and corruption, a problem that has already led Brussels to impose sanctions on Sofia.

EU calls on Russia to halt military campaign in Georgia — 11 August 2008, 15:38 CET

The European Commission on Monday called on Russia to halt immediately "all military activity on Georgian territory."

EU's Mandelson, juggling friends and rivals — 29 July 2008, 19:38 CET

The European Union's dapper trade commissioner, Peter Mandelson, juggled the tough duties of pushing for a global trade agreement this week while fielding fierce pressure from EU members with studied nonchalance.

Nine EU states urge tougher line from Mandelson in WTO talks: Italy — 28 July 2008, 22:31 CET

Nine European Union countries on Monday called on the EU's chief trade negotiator to take a firmer line in world trade talks here to protect the continent's farmers, according to Italian negotiators.

Bulgaria outlines urgent measures to unblock EU funds — 28 July 2008, 22:35 CET

Bulgaria has drawn up urgent measures to improve the management of EU subsidies and convince the Commission to unblock over EUR 800 million of frozen funds.

EU wants improved trade deal from Mandelson: France — 27 July 2008, 00:05 CET

EU member states want trade negotiator Peter Mandelson to improve the terms of a draft trade agreement under discussion by WTO countries in Geneva, French Trade Minister Anne-Marie Idrac said on Saturday.

Mandelson shrugs off French threat at WTO talks — 24 July 2008, 17:46 CET

European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson shrugged off a threat by French President Nicolas Sarkozy Thursday to reject a WTO trade accord as it stood, insisting that as commissioner he held the mandate to negotiate on the behalf of the EU.

Overnight WTO talks among most difficult negotiations: Mandelson — 24 July 2008, 16:11 CET

The EU's trade commissioner said on Thursday that overnight trade talks between seven main players of the WTO counted among the "most difficult and confrontational negotiation" of his term.

Barroso warns EU's partners must help forge WTO deal — 21 July 2008, 00:05 CET

EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso welcomed the opening of key world trade talks on Sunday, but warned that Europe's partners "must make a major contribution" if a deal was to be struck.

Latin American nationalisation damages EU ties: commissioner — 18 July 2008, 16:29 CET

Recent state takeovers of companies in Latin American are harmful for the region's ties with the Europeaan Union, European External Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said on Friday.

Ireland has until October to decide on EU treaty: Commissioner — 18 July 2008, 16:37 CET

Ireland must decide by October what to do about its rejection of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, the bloc's commissioner for external relations declared on Friday.

Climate, energy talks in jeopardy if Doha round collapses: Mandelson — 18 July 2008, 17:14 CET

International deals on climate change, food security and energy security, among others, could all be thrown into doubt if the Doha Round of trade talks were to collapse, the European Union's trade commissioner said Friday.

French criticism of EU trade chief makes him stronger: minister — 15 July 2008, 16:46 CET

French criticism of EU trade chief Peter Mandelson only makes the British commissioner stronger, French state secretary for trade Anne-Marie Idrac said on Tuesday.

Berlusconi backs Barroso to head EU Commission again — 15 July 2008, 16:46 CET

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Tuesday backed a second mandate for European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso.

No more Lisbon rejections, EU's Barroso predicts — 15 July 2008, 13:58 CET

Only Ireland among the EU's 27 member states will reject the controversial Lisbon Treaty, European Commission Presisdent Jose Manuel Barroso predicted in Rome on Tuesday.

EU's Barroso says he warned Sudan on war crimes charges — 13 July 2008, 23:22 CET

EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso said on Sunday he had warned Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir his country could face UN war crimes charges unless it worked to end the bloodshed in Darfur.

Sarkozy backs Barroso for second term — 10 July 2008, 17:06 CET

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday he supported a second mandate for European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso.

EU says governments failing to implement lost children hotlines — 10 July 2008, 15:16 CET

EU member states are failing to do enough to protect missing children, the Commission said on Thursday, accusing member states of dragging their feet on setting up hotlines.

EU's Barroso urges help for farm aid plan for poor nations — 10 July 2008, 13:55 CET

European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso urged EU nations Thursday to support his plans to use left over farm subsidy money as aid for poor nations, in the face of German opposition.

I won't be bullied by Sarkozy: EU trade chief — 08 July 2008, 17:23 CET

European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson vowed Tuesday he would not be bullied by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, despite insisting the feud between them is over.

EU challenges Italy for explanation on Roma fingerprint plan — 07 July 2008, 18:10 CET

EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot demanded an explanation from Italy Monday about its controversial scheme to fingerprint gypsies in the country.

Barroso urges lower energy prices to help poor: report — 06 July 2008, 14:43 CET

European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso has called on EU member states to stagger energy prices to help poor households, in an interview published on Sunday.

Mandelson fires new salvo in free trade row with Sarkozy — 06 July 2008, 12:57 CET

EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson hit out again Sunday in his battle with French President Nicolas Sarkozy over world trade talks by attacking "populist and self-serving" rhetoric on the issue.

Bulgarian farming agency chief quits over frozen EU funds — 03 July 2008, 11:54 CET

The head of Bulgaria's farming agency announced his resignation after the Commission suspended EUR 93.5m in EU agricultural subsidies.

EU defends immigration rules after Mercosur criticism — 02 July 2008, 18:16 CET

The European Commission defended Wednesday tough new rules to control illegal immigration, after the measures were slammed as "outrageous" by South American leaders.