About: European Council summit Archives
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Paris to hold emergency summit of European Ministers
European and American Home Affairs Ministers will assemble in Paris on Sunday 11 January, in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attack, for an emergency meeting on counter-terrorism measures. EURACTIV France reports.
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Member states seek guarantees for Juncker plan contributions
Jean-Claude Juncker yesterday presented his investment plan for the European Council's consideration, using the opportunity to ask for further contributions. On top of numerous criticisms, the question of the distribution of funds has caused divisions within the Council. EURACTIV France reports.
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Tusk prepares first EU summit with light discussion menu
Europe's heads of state will review the proposed €315bn Juncker investment plan at the EU summit opening today (18 December). The issue threatens to divide the Council, with Tusk planning to finish the discussion before midnight. EURACTIV France reports.
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Tusk after his appointment as EU Council President: “I am really moved”
EU leaders elected Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Saturday to replace Herman Van Rompuy as the next President of the European Council.
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A black day for the EU’s climate policy
Donald Tusk’s nomination as the next president of the European Council is a major game changer for the EU's energy and climate policy. And it is not a good one, writes Andrzej Ancygier.
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Wrap-up: Leaders choose Tusk, Mogherini at Summit
EU leaders gathered at the European Council in Brussels, on Saturday (30 August), to break the deadlock on EU top jobs and to respond to the escalating conflict in Eastern Ukraine. An overview of events, as they happened, is below.
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EU to grant Albania ‘candidate’ status
Albania has finally been accepted as an official EU membership candidate. European affairs ministers agreed to start Albania's EU membership process, but warn that further progress depends on sustained efforts to reform. EURACTIV France reports.
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Cameron: ‘A la carte’ mode makes EU stronger
Answering a question by EURACTIV's journalist Georgi Gotev, UK's Prime Minister David Cameron said that 'picking and choosing' what EU policies member states want to follow will make Europe 'stronger and not weaker'
After hosting a meeting between EU leaders and UK business figures on the margins of a 2-day EU summit in Brussels, Cameron said that cutting EU red tape will 'help businesses grow, take on people and get our economies moving'. -
MEPs urge EU leaders to suspend SWIFT agreement with US amid spying scandal
As EU leaders gather for a 2-day summit in Brussels, MEPs are demanding explanations over the allegations that the US have been spying on European head of state and have urged EU leaders to take action.
'I'm very disappointed about the weak attitude the Europeans again showed towards the US, tapping phone of Angela Merkel this is the top of all scandals information we have received, and the Europeans prefer still to play diplomacy, and refuse any strong reaction', said Green MEP Rebecca Harms. -
EU leaders meet UK business figures
In a bid to 'cut red tape to foster growth and jobs in Europe', UK Prime Minister David Cameron is hosting a meeting in Brussels with British business leaders and his European Union counterparts.
As EU leaders gather in Brussels for a 2-day summit, Cameron has called for EU's regulations on businesses to be simplified. -
Hollande, Merkel demand explanation over US spying allegations – Hollande’s press conference
As the US security agency has been accused of monitoring the phones of European leaders, Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande are seeking talks with the US before the end of the year to demand an explanation over the allegations.
Speaking in a press conference after the first meetings of a 2-day gathering of EU leaders in Brussels, Hollande said that 'such activities cannot be accepted'. -
Merkel, Hollande demand explanation over US spying allegations – Merkel’s press conference
As the US security agency has been accused of monitoring the phones of European leaders, Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande are seeking talks with the US before the end of the year to demand an explanation over the allegations.
Speaking in a press conference after the first meetings of a 2-day gathering of EU leaders in Brussels, Merkel said she wants 'action' from President Obama, and 'not just words'.
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Barroso, Van Rompuy: EU-US relations must be based on respect, trust
Speaking in a press conference after the first meetings of a 2-day gathering of EU leaders in Brussels, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy said that relations between the EU and the Us should be based on mutual 'respect and trust'.
Following allegations that the US had been tapping German Chancellor Angela Merkel's phone, Van Rompuy defended the Franco-German initiative of seeking further clarification from the US. -
Lithuania’s Grybauskait?: EU expects to reach free trade deal with Ukraine
As EU leaders gather in Brussels for a 2-day summit, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskait? said on Friday that Brussels expects to reach a deal on a free trade deal with Ukraine in the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius.
Refereeing to recent allegations that the US had been tapping the phones of European leaders, Grybauskait? stressed the need to find a 'balance between data protections for European citizens' and 'international security'. -
Cameron: EU needs to cut regulation for businesses
As EU leaders gather in Brussels for a 2-day summit, UK's Prime Minister David Cameron told reporters waiting outside the EU Council building that excessive regulation for businesses must be cut 'to create jobs and growth' and be 'competitive'
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EU leaders meet for October 2013 EU Council Summit – Roundtable
The digital single market will dominate the EU's pre-summit agenda, with discussions being spiced up after revelations of deep US spying on France. Other issues on the agenda include immigration policies following the Lampedusa tragedy, banking union and the social dimension for the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).
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Katainen: Spying cannot be avoided
As EU leaders gather in Brussels for a 2-day EU summit, Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen told reporters that 'data protections laws are very important', following allegations that the US had been spying on EU leaders. Katainen added that EU citizens 'must be certain that the digital market really means safe market'.
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Samaras: We must tackle illegal immigration in the EU
As EU leaders gather in Brussels for an EU summit, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras told reporters that tackling illegal immigration is of 'paramount importance', specially in the South Mediterranean region. Samaras also added that European leaders will discuss 'digital union' and 'banking union' throughout the meeting.
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Di Rupo: ‘We can’t accept systematic spying’
As EU leaders gather in Brussels for an EU summit, Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo said that 'systematic spying' can't be accepted, amid allegations that the US had been tapping EU leaders mobile phones.
Not sure about decision today, but we can't accept systematic spying, have to take measures. National measures are not enough, need to take European measures. Between allies, we can find a mechanism for collaboration, but no spying. -
Merkel to Obama: ‘Spying among friends is not acceptable’
Amid allegations that the US had been spying on EU leaders, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that she has made clear to US president Barack Obama that 'spying among friends is not acceptable.
As EU leaders gather in Brussels for an EU Summit, Merkel told reporters on her arrival that Europe needs 'to reflect on what data protection agreements and transparency is needed for that'. -
Schulz: EU should reconsider free trade negotiations with US
As socialists leaders meet on Thursday ahead ahead of the EU Summit in Brussels, European Parliament's president Martin Schulz said that the EU should reconsider holding free trade talks with the US following allegations that the US intelligence system has been spying on European leaders.
'I think we should reconsider if we can negotiate with the US on the same level. It would not be legitimate if the other side plays with an advantage', Schulz said. -
EU summit: Wrap-up
The digital single market was supposed to dominate talks at the October EU summit in Brussels but discussions were soon eclipsed by the US spying allegations and illegal immigration following the Lampedusa tragedy. Read the feed below for a wrap-up of the events as they unfolded.
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Syria arms embargo to dominate Friday EU summit talks
A concerted push by France and Britain to lift the EU’s arms embargo on Syria to help rebels fight the regime of Bashar al-Assad is set to dominate the second day of an EU summit in Brussels today (15 March). Discussions will focus on the bloc's complicated relations with Russia, which opposes the resumption of weapons deliveries, saying it would be illegal.
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Swoboda: No problem to return to annual budgets
If the EU leaders' agreement on the long-term EU budget does not respect the red lines spelled out by MEPs, namely flexibility, a mid-term review clause and more money for growth and investment, the European Parliament might decide to reject the proposal and revert to annual budgets, says Hannes Swoboda, leader of the Socialists and Democrats group.