Italy and the EU

Latest business news about Italy and the European Union

• Italy country profile

Cardinal criticises Euro MP over anti-Islam stand: reports — 09 August 2008, 12:00 CET

Italy's top prelate Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco has denounced a Euro MP in the anti-immigration Northern League for his anti-Islamic views, press reports said Saturday.

Italy to seek Brussels' view on controversial immigration law — 01 August 2008, 21:51 CET

The Italian government, criticised by Brussels for its immigration policy, on Friday sought the opinion of the European Commission on the wording of new legislation on refugees and immigration.

Italian MPs give thumbs-up to EU's Lisbon treaty — 31 July 2008, 16:34 CET

Members of Italy's lower house of parliament unanimously approved Thursday ratification of the European Union's Lisbon reform treaty, a week after senators gave it their green light.

Berlusconi concerned over possible global trade deal — 27 July 2008, 09:54 CET

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi voiced worries Saturday about a possible global free trade pact being negotiated in Geneva, in telephone conversation with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, a government statement said.

Italy's Senate approves EU treaty — 23 July 2008, 23:29 CET

Italy's Senate on Thursday unanimously approved the European Union's troubled reform treaty, whose future was plunged into doubt when Irish voters rejected it last month.

EU regulator orders Italy to recover aid from post office — 18 July 2008, 16:38 CET

The EU's top competition regulator ordered Italy on Thursday to recover "unlawful" state aid granted to the national postal service Poste Italiane, following a two-year investigation.

Italy 'benevolent' towards immigrants: Berlusconi — 15 July 2008, 20:13 CET

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Tuesday defended Italy's "benevolent" attitude towards immigrants during a joint news conference with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

EU receives Italian assurances on Alitalia — 15 July 2008, 14:14 CET

The European Commission said on Tuesday that Italy has replied to its concerns about a state loan to the ailing airline Alitalia.

Fingerprint all Italians, minister says: press — 11 July 2008, 13:22 CET

Italy's defence minister suggested all Italians be fingerprinted so the government would not be accused of racism for fingerprinting gypsies, in comments published Friday, rejecting EU lawmakers' cries of discrimination.

MEPs demand end to gypsy fingerprinting in Italy — 10 July 2008, 19:55 CET

Members of the European Parliament demanded Thursday that Italy stop fingerprinting Roma gypsies, branding the action a direct act of discrimination, which Italian ministers swiftly rejected.

Rome blasts EU parliament resolution on gypsies — 10 July 2008, 16:22 CET

An Italian minister on Thursday slammed a resolution by the European Parliament calling on Italy to stop fingerprinting Roma, or gypsies, saying Rome rejected "accusations of racism."

Euro-MPs protest to Italy over Roma fingerprint row — 09 July 2008, 19:27 CET

More than 100 members of the European Parliament, including party group leaders, on Wednesday added their fingerprints to a petition protesting Italy's policy on gypsies.

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.

Berlusconi makes fiery return to EU summit stage — 21 June 2008, 11:55 CET

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi made a typically boisterous return to the EU summit stage this week, taking aim at two of his greatest betes noires; European bureaucracy and judges.

Berlusconi back with a blast for Brussels commisioners — 19 June 2008, 22:45 CET

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi accused EU commissioners of causing trouble for national governments and warned he would raise the issue Thursday during the European Union summit.

Alitalia chairman says government loan was in line with EU rules — 11 June 2008, 23:23 CET

The Italian government's 300 million euro (465 million dollar) loan to Alitalia is in line with EU law, the chairman of the Italian flag carrier said Wednesday.

EU probes Italian state loan to Alitalia — 11 June 2008, 16:12 CET

The Commission launched on Wednesday an illegal state aid probe into a 300-million-euro government loan to ailing Italian airline Alitalia.

New Italian government a 'boost' for EU: minister — 08 June 2008, 00:05 CET

The return to power of Italian media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi is a boon for the European Union, Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said Saturday.

Italian government in new push to sell off Alitalia — 30 May 2008, 19:11 CET

The Italian government said Friday it was launching a new push to sell the ailing Alitalia, acknowledging that the national airline was in a "critical" state.

Italy gives EU treaty green light, opponents demand referendum — 30 May 2008, 19:09 CET

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's new government on Friday adopted measures to ratify the EU treaty of Lisbon, but its Northern League partner wants this to be put to a referendum, ANSA news agency reported.

Italian fishermen join strike over fuel prices — 28 May 2008, 22:56 CET

Italy's fishermen said Wednesday they would join in a strike by the Spanish and Portuguese in protest against higher prices for the fuel to power their boats.

New Italian rubbish measures leave EU doubtful — 22 May 2008, 17:00 CET

The European Commission says measures announced by the Italian government to tackle the rubbish crisis in the Naples area did not resolve the underlying "structural problems."

Brussels condemns attacks on Roma in Italy — 20 May 2008, 21:47 CET

EU parliamentarians on Tuesday condemned recent violence against the gypsy minority in Italy, reminding Rome of the obligation to uphold European law in its fight against illegal immigration.

Romanian citizens free to roam EU, says minister in Italy crime row — 16 May 2008, 22:55 CET

Romanians can circulate freely anywhere in the European Union, interior minister Cristian David said Friday after Italy launched a crackdown on immigrant crime interpreted as targeting Romanians.

Italy calls for tightened EU borders — 16 May 2008, 16:15 CET

Italy's foreign minister called for tightened security at the borders of EU states, in an interview published Friday, as the new right-wing government pressed a tough line on illegal immigration.