About: Charles Michel
Belgium to buy US F-35 fighters in blow to EU’s defence policy
Belgium said Thursday (25 October) it had chosen to buy US-made F-35 stealth warplanes over the Eurofighter Typhoon, which critics call a blow to the EU's bid to build its own defences.
Diplomatic tensions flare between Spain and Belgium over Catalan crisis
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel sought to defuse bilateral tensions at an EU summit yesterday (17 October) after Flemish and Spanish authorities traded accusations over Spain's handling of Catalonia's illegal declaration of independence and imprisonment of separatists.
Salvini sees populist-conservative coalition guiding the new EU Commission
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who also leads the far-right League party, said on Tuesday (11 September) he wants the new European Commission to be led by conservatives and populists.
France, Benelux to propose EU aid for Africa in return for migrant help
France and the three Benelux countries on Thursday (6 September) launched a plan to offer EU funds to African countries in return for help stemming the flow of migrants to Europe.
Offer citizenship to British eurocrats, Juncker asks Belgian PM
European Commission boss Jean-Claude Juncker has called on Belgium to demonstrate its “generosity” by offering citizenship for British officials working in the EU institutions.
Juncker casts doubt on resolving tariff dispute with Trump by 1 May deadline
The EU is unlikely to secure permanent exemption from US steel and aluminium tariffs by the time President Trump’s stopgap reprieve from the measures expires on 1 May, Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said Friday.
Citizens rally to host migrants, in defiance of Belgian government
Human rights activists and some political parties in Belgium are calling for the resignation of Theo Francken, the secretary of state for immigration, citing his aggressive and hostile stance towards migrants from Africa and the Middle East.
Belgian PM seeks EU help in row over deported Sudanese
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said yesterday (11 January) he would seek EU help to settle a row over his country's deportation of Sudanese who were allegedly tortured on their return home.
Puigdemont says will stay in Belgium, accept snap election
Dismissed Catalan President Carles Puigdemont is not seeking political asylum in Belgium and will not return to Spain until he is guaranteed a fair trial, he told a packed news conference in Brussels’ European quarter on Tuesday (31 October).
Only Belgium breaks ranks in EU unity with Madrid
As the Spanish government vowed to take back powers from the Catalan regional government, EU leaders closed ranks behind Madrid on the first day of the EU summit yesterday (19 October), with only Belgium’s Prime Minister Charles Michel urging moderation and dialogue.
Re-inventing Europe and building the future of the Union
The initiative by French President Emmanuel Macron is a wind of change in Europe and a welcome movement towards relaunching the European Project. André Flahaut explains why Belgium should seize the opportunity.
Eyes on EU as Catalonia leader threatens independence
Catalonia's leader, Carles Puigdemont, said the region won the right to break away from Spain, with his government claiming on Monday (2 October) that 90% of voters backed independence in a banned referendum marred by violent clashes.
Save our fries! Belgians say EU spares national dish
Belgium's national dish, the deep fried potato sticks that much of the English-speaking world gallingly calls "French fries", has been saved.
Trump demands NATO payment–but makes no defence pledge
US President Donald Trump stole the show at a meeting of NATO heads of state yesterday (25 May) when he doubled down on his demands for other members to pay more in an opening speech.
Thousands protest against Trump in ‘hellhole’ Brussels
Thousands of protesters carrying effigies of Donald Trump marched through Brussels on Wednesday (24 May) after the US president arrived for talks with the EU and NATO.
Generation Macron: Young liberal EU leaders rally behind French ‘Kennedy’
If Emmanuel Macron wins Sunday's French presidential run-off (7 May) Europe's pro-EU liberals will finally have their champion.
Netanyahu snubs German foreign minister in NGO row
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled talks on Tuesday (25 April) with Germany's foreign minister in a rare move after the visiting diplomat declined to call off meetings with rights groups critical of Israel's government.
Several hurt in clashes at Turkey’s Brussels consulate
Several people were injured and taken to hospital after supporters and opponents of the Turkish government clashed outside the country's consulate in central Brussels on Thursday (30 March), Belgian police said.
US vice president pledges support for EU and NATO in first Brussels visit
US Vice President Mike Pence appeared to row back on President Donald Trump's statements against NATO and the European Union in his first visit to Brussels.
Belgian PM warns US against meddling in EU politics
After meeting with US Vice-President Mike Pence on Sunday (19 February), the Belgian prime Minister said in a veiled criticism of President Donald Trump’s comments that Belgium, like other countries, would not allow the fragmentation of the European Union.
In Brussels, Merkel warns EU-US ties not ‘eternal’
German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned the EU Thursday (12 January) it should not rely on "eternal" US support, as concern grows in Europe about Donald Trump's commitment to transatlantic ties.
The Brief: Is CETA a dead parrot or a zombie?
European Council President Donald Tusk this morning told MEPs that the EU could still sign the CETA trade deal with Canada tomorrow, despite the veto by a number of Belgian regional assemblies.
Belgium cannot sign CETA, PM Michel admits
Belgium is not able to sign off on a landmark EU-Canada free trade deal after Wallonia and other regional administrations refused to give the federal government the go-ahead, PrimeMinister Charles Michel said today (24 October).