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EU SUMMIT LIVE: Summit ends, post-Brexit EU starts to take shape
On the second and final day of the summit on Friday (23 June), EU leaders met ECB President Mario Draghi, who presented the current economic situation. They also discussed migration and Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas outlined the digital ambitions of the incoming Estonian Presidency.
Macron makes link between poor French economy and refugees
Emmanuel Macron said there was “no glory” in France's track record on refugees because it reflected the country's weak economy.
Leaders tone down Macron’s call for foreign investment scrutiny
A majority of member states on Friday (23 June) resisted a proposal by France, Germany and Italy designed to control and block foreign investment at EU level, citing fears about protectionism.
Commission to approve €2.7 billion funding for transport projects
The Commission proposed on Friday (23 June) to invest €2.7 billion in 152 transport projects ranging from a railway network upgrade in Poland to a road tunnel linking Slovenia and Austria.
UK’s May leaves EU summit empty-handed
British Prime Minister Theresa May put on a brave face at the end of an EU summit on Friday (23 June), insisting she had made a "fair and serious" offer to her European partners and that all aspects of Brexit were still up for discussion. But the writing on the wall was unmistakable.
Macron, Merkel: EU treaty change is not taboo
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking at a joint presser after the end of the EU summit on Friday (23 June), said that treaty change should not be an obstacle to carrying out important reforms.
The Brief: De Gaulle was right about Britain all along
Back in the 1960s, Charles de Gaulle vetoed the UK’s attempts to join what is now the EU. Exactly one year on from the Brexit vote, it’s clear that ‘the Great Asparagus’ was right to try and keep Britain out of the club.
Brexit: Can a bitter divorce end up in a good trade partnership?
The European Union and the United Kingdom have less than two years to negotiate a satisfactory deal for their divorce.
Soft drink makers back product reformulation as ‘healthier’ than taxation
Governments can steer consumers towards healthier choices by supporting the reformulation of food ingredients, rather than imposing "discriminatory" taxes, according to the soft drinks industry.
Consumer goods regulation: A ‘slippery slope’?
In an attempt to address public health concerns, policymakers have pushed for increased regulation on food, soft drinks and alcohol products.
Trans-Europe Express: Is Sánchez a man with a plan?
Last month, Pedro Sánchez brought a new and unexpected result to the European ballot box. Sánchez returned to his post as secretary general of Spain’s Socialist Party (PSOE) after a bitter campaign against Susana Díaz, the powerful president of Andalucía who was supported by the barons of the party.
Tweets of the Week: Brexit talks, the Queen’s hat, Gabriel’s hearing, and Gare Centrale
We’re featuring, you guessed it, Brexit talks. Also the Queen’s hat, I mean speech, the new Commissioner designate’s hearing, and the Gare Centrale attack.
France and Germany to make joint proposal for future of Europe
French President Emmanuel Macron said yesterday (22 June) that with German Chancellor Angela Merkel they would table concrete proposals for the future of the EU and of the Eurozone in three months’ time.
Long freeze on new labels for heaters may slow innovation, decarbonisation
In a possible nod to industry demands, the EU's new energy label regulations will allow a 10-year transition period for heaters until 2030, a move likely to confuse consumers, hinder innovation in clean technology and extend the market life of fossil-fuelled devices, critics said.
EPP hails positive momentum on Macedonia name dispute
The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) is satisfied with the new rapprochement between Skopje and Athens, as the two sides aim to unlock Macedonia's NATO bid and open the door to EU accession talks. But some within the party counselled caution.
Merkel calls UK offer on citizens’ rights a ‘good start’
Angela Merkel gave a subdued nod but no outright approval to British Prime Minister Theresa May's proposal to protect EU citizens' rights after Brexit, pouring cold water on May's promise of a “generous” offer on one of the most sensitive issues in the divorce talks.
Politics get final say on post-Brexit agency seats
Leaders of 27 EU member states - excluding the UK -agreed late on Thursday (22 June) on criteria to decide by November the new seats of the European Medicines Agency and the European Banking Authority, which are currently based in London.
EU leaders agree to extend sanctions against Moscow
EU leaders have agreed to extend sanctions against Moscow for another six months because of Russia's failure to implement a peace deal for Ukraine, European Council President Donald Tusk said in a tweet on the first day of the 22-23 June EU Summit.
EU leaders hail ‘historic step’ in defence cooperation
EU leaders hailed as “historic” the decision taken at the Council summit on Thursday (22 June) to establish permanent European defence cooperation. French President Emmanuel Macron, for whom this is the first EU summit, praised Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker for his role as architect of the project.
The Brief: Will Trump divide Europe?
Last month Barack Obama was in Berlin, where he participated in a panel discussion on democracy with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in front of 70,000 people.
EU telecoms watchdog: ‘We are independent and we bother powerful people’
Sébastien Soriano spoke to EURACTIV about what Yoda can teach us about EU telecoms law, accusations that he is lobbying to change draft rules, net neutrality and the likely new Digital Commissioner Mariya Gabriel.
Activist denounces Schengen visa fraud
Andrei Sumar, a civil rights activist from Belarus is frustrated that the European Parliament Committee on Petitions disregards the many complaints of Belarussian nationals, who cite corruption in the issuing of Schengen visas by EU embassies in Minsk.
Report: Western Balkans route not closed, just diverted via Bulgaria
A report by a German think tank reveals the deficiencies of the deal with Turkey to stem the flow of refugees to Europe. Migration is on the menu of the two-day summit starting today (22 June).
Tobacco makers denounce ‘brand theft’ from plain packaging
The trend towards imposing plain packaging on tobacco products has made industry executives furious and denounce “Brussels-led overregulation” that effectively leads to "brand theft".