About: European Council
Tusk asks MEPs to stand for ‘remainers’ ahead of crucial votes in London
If the British parliament does not represent those who want to remain in the EU, the European Parliament should, European Council president Donald Tusk told EU lawmakers on Wednesday (27 March) in Strasbourg.
‘Don’t be naive with China’, EU leaders tell Italy
EU leaders displayed a united front toward China on Friday (22 March) and warned the Italian government of the consequences of signing a bilateral deal with Beijing to become part of the new ‘Silk Road’.
Back May’s Brexit deal and you get more time, EU leaders tell Westminster
EU leaders will grant the United Kingdom a possible eight-week delay to Brexit provided that the House of Commons passes the Withdrawal Agreement next week, according to conclusions agreed the European Council summit on late Thursday (21 March) night.
Europe’s democratic challenge: in search of government
Europe is about democracy. We cherish democracy in our national institutions by ensuring a healthy separation of powers, by fighting for free and fair elections, and by combining the rule of the majority with the protection of the minority, write Louis Drounau and Andrew Duff.
Europe depends on its cities
Cities are the place where the fight against climate change becomes real, most of the decisions are taken and where equal and inclusive societies can be made, Anna Lisa Boni claims.
Member states support tougher stance toward China despite warnings
EU’s foreign affairs ministers expressed their “full support”on Monday (18 March) to the EU’s new stance toward China, described as “systemic rival”, as the bloc seeks to rebalance its economic and trade relationship with Beijing.
European Defence Fund talks reveal rift over EU’s defence future
EU lawmakers failed to seal an agreement on the future of the European Defence Fund (EDF) despite a nine hour negotiation session last week.
Make lobbying in the EU truly transparent
The Commission is a good example of transparency for other institutions, such as the Parliament and the Council, Frans Timmermans writes.
Europe speeds up plans for no-deal scenario as Brexit chaos grows
EU leaders will discuss late on Thursday (13 December) how to address the UK's concerns about its withdrawal agreement from the EU, but discussions on contingency plans are gathering pace as the chances of an orderly divorce continue to wane.
Juncker warns May: ‘No room’ to renegotiate Brexit deal
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Tuesday (11 December) that the EU would be open to offer “clarifications” to British Prime Minister Theresa May, but insisted that the withdrawal agreement was the “best possible, the only possible” deal.
Citizens’ consultations: France dreaming of ecological Europe
The European Council between 13-14 December will focus on the findings of the citizens’ consultations. French people dream of having a more ecological and more socially just Europe, where there is greater citizen participation. Can the EU meet their expectations? EURACTIV France reports.
Sadness the flavour of the day as EU27 approve Brexit deal
EU leaders signed off on a historic deal on Sunday (25 November) that will see the UK formally leave the European Union, describing the day's events as "tragic" but the deal itself as "the best that could be had".
Spain strikes last-minute deal on Gibraltar and unlocks Brexit deal
The Brexit deal is good to go. The Spanish government announced on Saturday (24 November) that it would back the deal after striking a last-minute agreement to ensure any agreement for the future relationship with the UK will not automatically apply to Gibraltar.
Parliament urges Council to start negotiating on next EU long-term budget
The European Parliament laid down funding priorities for the next long-term EU budget on Tuesday (13 November) and urged the Council to agree on a common position so that talks be completed before next May. But differences still remain about the level of member states' contributions.
How to #Spitzenkandidat
As the European elections loom closer, one question rings ever louder in the Brussels corridors: How will the Parliament’s main political groups choose their candidates for the EU’s top jobs?
Commission urges Parliament, Council to move on transparency
The European Commission is unhappy with the lack of progress in negotiating its proposal for a mandatory transparency register with the European Parliament and Council and has urged the Parliament to consider making "meaningful" proposals before "our next political meeting", according to an official letter seen by EURACTIV.com.
EU-Asia put aside differences to show united front vs Trump
Faced with Donald Trump's unilateralism, leaders of more than 50 European and Asian countries put aside their differences on Friday (19 October) and upheld multilateral cooperation on all fronts during a summit in Brussels.
Macron criticises British inability to reach Brexit agreement
The failure to reach a Brexit agreement is due to “the lack of political capacity to reach a presentable agreement” in the United Kingdom, according to French president Emmanuel Macron. EURACTIV France reports.
Fearing election hacking, EU leaders to ready sanctions
During a European Council meeting on Thursday (18 October), EU leaders agreed to impose sanctions to stiffen their response to cyber attacks and to rush through new curbs on online campaigning by political parties to protect next year's European election from interference.
Putting the EU-South Korea partnership to work
The EU-South Korea summit taking place today (18 October) symbolises the EU's close and multifaceted partnership with South Korea. Yet, Brussels and Seoul should take some practical steps to strengthen their relationship, argue Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Linde Desmaele and Maximilian Ernst.
May and EU consider extending transition to break Brexit impasse
British PM Theresa May appeared to open the way to extend the post-Brexit transition period until December 2021, as EU leaders offered an olive branch to her in a bid to break the impasse during the EU summit on Wednesday (17 October).
A technical European Council to defuse tension
The European heads of state will meet in Brussels for three days. France is hoping to avoid reopening the eternal political debate surrounding migration and make progress on specific aspects, including Brexit – even though the final agreement is not ready. EURACTIV France reports.
NATO sees new cyber command centre by 2023 as Europe readies for cyber threats
A new NATO military command centre able to deter and launch cyber-attacks should be fully staffed and operational in 2023, but the alliance still lacks ground rules for doing so, a senior general announced at NATO’s annual cyber conference in Mons, Belgium on Tuesday (16 October).