About: Bratislava summit

EU citizens invited to join March for Europe in Rome

As the anniversary of the signing of the EU's founding treaties approaches, a group of over 300 European academics and personalities have endorsed an appeal to relaunch European integration, inviting members of civil society, scholars, youth and citizens to participate in a March for Europe in Rome on 25 March.

Malta bets on pragmatic idealism for its EU presidency

As the EU enters a period of uncertainty with elections in France and Germany, and the UK initiating a process to leave the bloc, the prime minister of Malta, whose government holds the six-month presidency of the EU until June, promised on Wednesday (11 January) to align results with the concerns of EU citizens.

Slovak EU presidency reaps big year-end harvest

The Slovak EU presidency has pushed through an avalanche of decisions in recent days, proving that the EU can still move forward despite the various crises it faces.

Barnier steps up Brexit talk preparations

Michel Barnier, the European Commission’s Brexit negotiator has visited most of the EU capitals to test the waters ahead of negotiations. EU27 officials will hold a meeting next week to discuss details of the forthcoming negotiation.

EU structural issues after Bratislava

EU policy-making needs to re-appropriate and prioritise democratic governance, the quality of employment and the full development of a 'social Europe’, as well as a human-rights based approach to EU foreign relations, writes Dr Cristina Blanco Sío-López.

Live: EU begins to talk life after UK

The negotiations haven't even started yet, with the now infamous Article 50 yet to be triggered by Theresa May's government. Things are starting to take shape and the news will come thick and fast. Follow EURACTIV's live feed for all the latest developments and talking points.

Luxembourg’s PM refuses to see European values ‘erased with tipp-ex’

A lack of community spirit on the part of Europe's leaders has stalled the European project, according to Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel. He called on the EU to take a hard stance against the UK. EURACTIV France reports.

European border agency inaugurated at Bulgaria-Turkey border

The EU launched its beefed-up border force today (6 October) in a rare show of unity at a symbolic location – the Bulgarian-Turkeis border guarded by a metal fence and razor wire.

Source: New post-Brexit EU summit on 3 February in Malta

European Union leaders will meet in Malta in February to help prepare for a summit the following month in Rome aimed at revitalising a bloc without Britain, an EU source said today (23 September).

Hungary readies attacks on Juncker over migration referendum

A spokesman for the Hungarian government, Zoltán Kovács, told a group of Brussels journalists yesterday (19 September) that the so-called ‘migrant quota’ referendum to be held next month in Hungary will expose the "stealth way the EU is working" during the past two years of the Juncker Commission.

Frustrated Renzi attacks EU and Merkel after ‘boat trip’ Bratislava summit

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi stepped up his attacks against other European Union leaders yesterday (18 September) after an EU summit in Bratislava which he said amounted to no more than "a nice cruise on the Danube."

Tusk in Bratislava: Maybe the EU will be stronger after Brexit

The Bratislava summit, which ended on Friday (16 September), was supposed to focus on security and border control as well as other consensual issues following Britain's decision to leave the European Union.

Schulz admits mandatory relocation of refugees has failed

Speaking to journalists at the start of the Bratislava summit today (16 September), Parliament President Martin Schulz admitted that the system of relocating refugees based on mandatory quotas isn't working, and that the Visegrad group is expected to table an alternative proposal.

Youth excluded from Bratislava Summit

We call for real, new investment in tackling the big problems that youth - and therefore the whole of society - faces. And we ask that, at this crossroads for our Union, our leaders finally champion young people, writes Johana Nyman.

The future of the EU: An agenda

As Europe begins to think in earnest about life after the UK, the future of the EU remains very much obscured. In the week leading up to the Bratislava summit, a number of think tanks have outlined what they think the historic meeting will bring, concluding with Charles Powell.

Should we refortify or reinvigorate Europe?

As Europe begins to think in earnest about life after the UK, the future of the EU remains very much obscured. In the week leading up to the Bratislava summit, a number of think tanks have outlined what they think the historic meeting will bring, continuing with Thomas Henökl and Niels Keijzer.

The EU lacks creativity: We need a new vision of it

In 2002, then-President of the European Commission Romano Prodi predicted that the EU would become a “real global player”, capturing an era when the EU was determined to achieve “sustainable stability and security” within the EU. Igor Merheim-Eyre wonders where these aspirations went.

Bulgaria to ask EU leaders for €160 million to police border

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has slammed the EU for lack of solidarity and said he will request leaders at tomorrow’s EU summit in Bratislava for the immediate release of €160 million of aid for strengthening the country’s borders.

State of the Union: As it happened

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker kicked off his State of the European Union address at the European Parliament at 9am today (14 Wednesday). EURACTIV's live feed brought breaking news, live video and analysis of the speech.

Juncker: Soft power is not enough for the EU

In the State of the Union speech he delivered today (14 September), Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker proposed new powers for the EU foreign affairs chief, and the start of a real defence effort, compatible with NATO.

Tusk: EU situation not the same as in ‘The Leopard’ novel

In his invitation letter for the 16 September Bratislava summit, European Council President Donald Tusk made reference to The Leopard, the famous novel which describes the 19-century crisis of the Italian nobility, known for the famous sentence "everything needs to change, so everything can stay the same".

Bratislava: Beginning of the battle for the ‘anxious middle’

As Europe begins to think in earnest about life after the UK, the future of the EU remains very much obscured. In the week leading up to the Bratislava summit, a number of think tanks have outlined what they think the historic meeting will bring, continuing with Brigid Laffan.

The children’s State of the European Union

President Juncker will address the European Parliament tomorrow (14 September) on the State of the Union, and then the informal meeting in Bratislava will discuss Europe’s future. Jana Hainsworth urges EU leaders to think about how Europe can best serve its children.

Juncker promises Bulgaria aid to strengthen border with Turkey

Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in a letter seen by EURACTIV that he is aware of the “fragile situation” of the country and that considerable support for the consolidation of the country’s border will be made available.