About: European Council summit Archives

EU leaders elected Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Saturday to replace Herman Van Rompuy as the next President of the European Council.

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'.

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.

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.

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'.

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'.

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.

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'.

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'

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).

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'.

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.

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.

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'.

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.