EURACTIV.com with AFP and Reuters
Germany’s Bavaria plans to buy Sputnik vaccine
Germany's Bavaria region has reached an agreement to buy doses of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine once it is approved by European regulators, the regional health ministry said Wednesday (7 April).
Biden backs Northern Ireland peace in virtual Saint Patrick’s Day talks
President Joe Biden expressed support for the Northern Ireland peace agreement in the face of Brexit-related tensions when he met Ireland's prime minister Micheal Martin for virtual Saint Patrick's Day celebrations Wednesday (17 March).
Major EU nations halt AstraZeneca while WHO insists the jab is safe
The EU's largest countries joined a stream of states halting their rollouts of AstraZeneca jabs on Monday (15 March) over blood clot fears, as the World Health Organization and Europe's medicines watchdog insisted it was safe to use.
Problems pile up on AstraZeneca as Irish, Dutch halt shots
Ireland and the Netherlands on Sunday (14 March) became the latest countries to suspend their rollouts of the AstraZeneca vaccine over concerns about post-jab blood clots despite the firm insisting there was no risk.
Flying in the face of the ECB – Greenpeace paraglides onto bank to protest fossil fuel funding
Two climate activists from Greenpeace paraglided onto the roof of the European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters on Wednesday (10 March) and hung a banner accusing the bank of funding polluters on the eve of its governing board meeting.
US offers to meet Iran, reverses Trump steps in push to save nuclear deal
US President Joe Biden's administration offered talks with Iran led by European allies and reversed two largely symbolic steps against Tehran imposed by Donald Trump, as it sought to salvage a nuclear deal on the brink of collapse.
Italy’s ruling parties inch towards new government deal
The squabbling parties in Italy's outgoing coalition will hold further detailed talks on forming a new government on Monday (1 February), a senior lawmaker brokering the negotiations said.
AstraZeneca to increase EU vaccine deliveries by 30%: Von der Leyen
AstraZeneca will increase its coronavirus vaccine deliveries to the EU by 30%, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Sunday (31 January) as the bloc sought to claw back time lost rolling out the jabs.
EU deplores ‘widespread detentions’ in pro-Navalny protests
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he deplored the "widespread detentions and disproportionate use of force" against protesters and journalists in Russia on Sunday (31 January).
Covid-19 vaccine firms must deliver, says EU chief
Companies producing Covid-19 vaccines "must deliver", EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday (26 January) as tensions mounted between her European Commission and pharmaceutical firms over delayed deliveries.
EU leaders ‘strongly discourage’ travel, eye tougher border rules
EU leaders on Thursday (21 January) "strongly discouraged" Europeans from non-essential travel and warned tougher restrictions on trips could come within days if efforts to curb the coronavirus fell short.
France suggests pause on ‘poisonous’ US-EU trade standoff
The European Union and the US should "pause" a long-running tariff disagreement to allow the issue to be resolved, France's foreign minister suggested Sunday (17 January).
No EU decision on Moderna shot as blame game mounts
The EU's drugs watchdog held off authorising Moderna's coronavirus jab on Monday (4 January), as criticism mounts of the bloc's slow vaccine roll-out.
US imposes new tariffs on French, German products in Airbus-Boeing spat
The United States announced Wednesday (30 December) that it will impose additional tariffs on French and German products as part of a long-running dispute over subsidies for aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing.
EU begins vaccinations to end Covid ‘nightmare’
EU countries on Sunday (27 December) embarked on a vaccination campaign to defeat the "nightmare" of Covid-19, with the first to be immunised expressing emotion after their jab and leaders hailing a milestone in the fight against the pandemic.
Belgium suspends UK flights, trains over virus strain
Belgium is suspending flight and train arrivals from Britain from midnight (2300 GMT) Sunday (20 December) after the UK detected a coronavirus variant suspected to be more infectious, a government official told AFP.
France says Turkey’s ‘soothing declarations’ not good enough
France said Sunday (22 November) it expects Turkey to de-escalate international tension with actions instead of words ahead of an EU decision on possible further sanctions against Ankara.
G20 throws weight behind global Covid-19 vaccine access at Saudi-hosted summit
G20 nations emphasised the need for global access to coronavirus vaccines at a Saudi-hosted virtual summit Saturday (21 November) dominated by efforts to tackle the pandemic and the worst global recession in decades. World leaders, including US President Donald Trump...
Inconclusive video summit hashes over EU budget hurdle, vaccines
EU leaders said Thursday (19 November) they would intensify efforts to convince the Prime Ministers of Poland and Hungary to drop their veto of the EU coronavirus economic recovery plan, which has plunged the bloc into a new crisis.
EU expands vaccine options with CureVac contract
The EU is to sign a contract with German pharmaceutical company CureVac for another potential Covid-19 vaccine, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Monday (16 November). The deal, to be signed Tuesday, brings to five the number of...
WTO members greenlight EU sanctions against US over Boeing aid
World Trade Organisation members gave the green light Monday (26 October) for Brussels to slap tariffs on $4.0 billion in US imports annually in retaliation for illegal American aid to plane maker Boeing.
Erdogan plans picnic at reopened Cypriot ghost town
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday (26 October) said he would visit on 15 November a beach resort sealed off for decades in northern Cyprus before it controversially reopened this month.
Brexit talks no closer to a deal, say insiders
Britain and the European Union are still a long way from a post-Brexit trade deal, several European sources told AFP Sunday (25 October), as both sides prepared to resume talks this week.