EURACTIV.com with AFP and Reuters
EU calls on Lebanon to form government quickly
The European Union on Monday (26 July) urged Lebanon's political elite to form a government without delay, following the nomination of Lebanese businessman Najib Mikati to be designated as prime minister.
Delta variant spread upsets EU plans for return to relative normality
Moscow and Indonesia recorded their worst daily coronavirus death toll due to the highly contagious coronavirus Delta variant, while various EU countries envisaged new restrictions, likely to upset their plans for a return to relative normality this summer.
West piles coordinated sanctions on Belarus after plane diversion
The EU, US, Britain and Canada ratcheted up pressure on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko Monday (21 June) by imposing coordinated sanctions after the forced landing of a Ryanair airliner to arrest a regime critic.
Biden, Putin hail positive talks, but bad blood stays on
Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin sought to cool tensions in the dangerously spiraling US-Russian relationship at their first summit in Geneva on Wednesday (16 June), with the US president saying his Kremlin counterpart doesn't want a new Cold War.
UK skirts ‘special relationship’ talk for Biden meet
The UK-US "special relationship" has been an article of faith for generations of British leaders. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson is rejecting old pieties as he heads into his first face-to-face talks with President Joe Biden.
Summit choreography: Biden to meet Putin ‘with the wind at his back’
Joe Biden will fight what he calls a “defining” battle for democracy on his first foreign presidential trip, meeting top US allies in Europe ahead of a tricky summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. The busy agenda — with G7, NATO...
Germany urges end to Middle East violence as EU calls talks
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Sunday (16 May) it is "imperative" for Israelis and Palestinians to stop fighting and resume talks ahead of an emergency meeting this week with his EU counterparts.
Blinken in UK as G7 foreign ministers discuss in-person Russia, China
Britain this week hosts the first face-to-face meeting of G7 foreign ministers in two years, joined by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as world powers tackle pandemic recovery plus growing tensions with Russia and China.
EU calls face-to-face 25 May summit on virus, climate and Russia
European Union leaders will hold a face-to-face summit in Brussels on 25 May to discuss the coronavirus crisis, the battle against climate change and tensions with Russia, a spokesman said.
Global pledges of help for Covid-stricken India
The European Commission has activated its EU Civil Protection Mechanism and is seeking to send oxygen and medicine to virus-hit India after receiving a request from Delhi. Several Western nations have also pledged help.
Von der Leyen, Michel seek way forward after ‘sofa-gate’ tensions
EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel held their first talks Monday (12 April) since a diplomatic gaffe in Turkey -- dubbed "sofa-gate" -- laid bare tensions between the bloc's major institutions.
Iran says it suffered ‘terrorist act’ after starting up advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges
An accident at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility on Sunday (11 April) was the result of a "terrorist" act, the country's nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said, according to state TV.
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.