European Council

The EU Council is the main decision-making body of the European Union.

Europe to take 'all necessary measures' to defend banks — 06 October 2008, 19:45 CET

European Union member states will "take all necessary measures to maintain the stability of the financial system," they said in a statement released simultaneously in their capitals Monday.

Press split on Euro finance crisis summit — 05 October 2008, 14:16 CET

Europe's press was split on Sunday over a summit accord by the EU's top four economies on battling the global finance crisis, hailing a powerful message of unity or dismissing it as too little too late.

US crisis a chance for stronger Europe: French minister — 03 October 2008, 11:50 CET

The global finance crisis has weakened the United States politically and economically, giving Europe a chance to assert itself, a French minister said Friday.

EU to recommend tougher 'golden parachute' rules — 02 October 2008, 18:51 CET

EU finance ministers are preparing to adopt joint recommendations to tighten rules on excessive payoffs or 'golden parachutes' for top executives, according to a draft document.

France satisfied with progress on EU military capabilities — 02 October 2008, 15:00 CET

French Defence Minister Herve Morin welcomed Thursday progress made on building the European Union's military capabilities, saying that advances had been made on achieving France's goals.

France denies it has proposed a 300-billion-euro rescue package — 01 October 2008, 20:55 CET

The French economy ministry on Wednesday denied a report that it wanted a 300-billion-euro rescue mechanism to prevent the collapse of European banks, a ministry source said.

EU nations agree to piracy security operation off Somalia — 01 October 2008, 20:55 CET

European Union nations agreed Wednesday to launch an anti-piracy security operation off the coast of Somalia, perhaps as soon as next month, French Defence Minister Herve Morin said.

EU kicks off Georgia peace mission — 01 October 2008, 23:45 CET

European observers kicked off a mission in Georgia Wednesday to monitor a ceasefire and oversee a Russian troop pull-back after the brief August war that deeply shook this Caucasus state.

Irish PM to report to EU on treaty crisis — 01 October 2008, 20:58 CET

Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen said Wednesday he will present a report at an upcoming EU summit on steps taken by Dublin to resolve the crisis over Ireland's "no" to a European Union reform treaty.

EU favours phase-out of Bosnia peacekeeping mission — 01 October 2008, 16:57 CET

European Union defence ministers backed Wednesday a plan to phase out the EU's peacekeeping operation in Bosnia but set no date for doing so.

British opposition promises referendum on EU treaty — 01 October 2008, 16:12 CET

Britain's opposition Conservatives pledged Wednesday to hold a referendum on the EU's Lisbon Treaty if they come to power, while rejecting a second poll in Ireland after its shock "no" vote.

France pushes EU partners to fill gaping military gaps — 01 October 2008, 14:21 CET

France strove Wednesday to give new impetus to plans to boost European Union defence capabilities by pushing its EU partners to commit to filling key military shortfalls.

Irish, French leaders meet over stalled EU treaty — 01 October 2008, 10:24 CET

Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen will meet with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris on Wednesday for talks on a way out of the crisis sparked by Ireland's rejection of the EU's reform treaty.

EU agrees to keep fishing quota system despite doubts — 29 September 2008, 18:46 CET

EU Member States agreed on Monday to maintain the bloc's existing fishing quotas despite its flaws and frequent criticism.

Competitiveness Council resolves to advance European Space Policy — 29 September 2008, 18:12 CET

On 26 September, the Competitiveness Council adopted a resolution to advance Europe's Space Policy. The resolution sets out four priority areas: space and climate change; space and security; space exploration; and the contribution of space to the Lisbon Strategy. The Member States highlighted in particular the importance of the rapid and successful implementation both of Galileo, the EU's satellite navigation system, and GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security).

France and India vow to boost civil nuclear cooperation — 29 September 2008, 18:50 CET

Indian and French leaders vowed to boost nuclear energy cooperation on Monday at an annual summit on EU-India ties dominated by trade, global warming and the world financial crisis.

EU not boldly funding space ambitions — 26 September 2008, 22:46 CET

EU ministers agree that the EU wants to become a major player in space projects, amid concerns that Member States and industry are unwilling to provide the astronomical costs involved.

France to miss 2012 deadline to close public deficit — 26 September 2008, 22:54 CET

The French public deficit will remain stable at 2.7 per cent of GDP for this year and the next and will not be wiped out by 2012 as France had promised the European Union, the government said on Friday.

EU ministers seal immigration pact, progress on labour card — 25 September 2008, 17:48 CET

EU interior ministers endorsed Thursday sweeping new guidelines for managing immigration, and closed in on agreement on a Blue Card scheme aimed at attracting highly skilled workers to Europe.

EU ministers to endorse skilled worker scheme, immigration pact — 25 September 2008, 14:41 CET

EU interior ministers were set Thursday to endorse a new "Blue Card" scheme aimed at attracting highly skilled workers to Europe, and adopt new guidelines for managing immigration.

Opposing EU camps dig in deeper over farm subsidies — 23 September 2008, 22:56 CET

European agriculture ministers were as divided as ever over EU farming subsidies on Tuesday, with France and Britain championing opposing views on future spending.

France's Sarkozy calls for summit on 'regulated capitalism' — 23 September 2008, 23:00 CET

French President Nicolas Sarkozy called Tuesday for an international summit to address the global financial crisis, advocating a "regulated capitalism" to end abuses.

French, Russian PMs bond over economy — 21 September 2008, 00:11 CET

The prime ministers of France and Russia sought Saturday to overcome tensions thrown up by the conflict in Georgia by focusing their attention on economic issues.

Ireland refuses timetable for EU treaty: minister — 18 September 2008, 21:32 CET

Ireland's Europe minister on Thursday rejected Luxembourg Premier Jean-Claude Juncker's statement that the EU's key Lisbon treaty will probably not be in force as planned next year.

Czech Republic says Lisbon Treaty must not ruin Croatia's EU bid — 18 September 2008, 21:33 CET

Czech deputy prime minister Alexandr Vondra gave his support to Croatia joining the European Union, saying Thursday he backed its accession "with or without the Lisbon Treaty."