About: European Council
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).
Juncker: If we accept the Italian budget, ‘countries would insult us’
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told Italian media on Tuesday (16 October) that he could not accept the extra spending budgeted by the Italian government because other member states would “insult” the institution.
Europe’s 2050 climate strategy takes shape
A group of 19 countries officially launched the Carbon Neutrality Coalition in New York on Thursday (27 September), just weeks before the European Commission is expected to publish a document outlining policy scenarios to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
‘Controlled centres’ for migrants – not ‘hotspots’, say EU leaders
The European Council’s idea of “controlled centres” for migrants put forward in its conclusions is strikingly similar to the 2015 hotspots. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Summit conclusions detail reform plan for WTO to please Trump
The EU leaders agreed “in substance” on Thursday (28 June) on a set of proposals to improve the World Trade Organisation, which should pave the way for finding common ground with US President Donald Trump and de-escalating the ongoing trade dispute. But Italy blocked their formal adoption until the migration issue was fully addressed.
Conte and Sánchez, the new kids on the EU bloc
Pedro Sánchez and Giuseppe Conte, the freshly appointed leaders from southern Europe, are two new kids on the bloc. But they could hardly be more different: Sánchez is a breath of fresh air in Spanish and European politics while Conte is a new headache for Brussels. Both made their first appearance at the European Council on Thursday (28 June).
Migration set to overshadow eurozone reform debate at EU summit
The political crises in Germany and Italy are European and revolve around the debate on migration, which is set to overshadow other issues during the European Council in Brussels, on 28-29 June. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Counterfeit trade on the agenda of ACP negotiations
MEPs and MPs from ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) countries call for closer cooperation to tackle counterfeit products in their future cooperation agreement. EURACTIV.fr reports.
The end of EU migration policy
The recent EU mini-summit on migration held on 24 June has reaffirmed more openly than ever before, the fundamental dissensions and schism among member states, if not among EU institutions themselves, in the field of migration and asylum policy. A two-speed EU migration policy would be the best solution to keep EU unity, writes Solon Ardittis.
A fateful week for the Chancellor
Chancellor Angela Merkel's presumably last term in office appears to be by far the hardest of her career. EURACTIV Germany looks at the crucial week ahead.
Paris meeting offers opportunity for leadership on high-seas agreement
The high seas make up nearly two-thirds of the world’s ocean, but less than 1 percent is currently protected. All this could change this September, when governments come together at the United Nations for an intergovernmental conference to negotiate a new treaty that would create a mechanism for protecting these ocean areas, writes Liz Karan.
OECD’s Gurría: ‘People are angry and frustrated’
OECD Secretary-General Ángel Gurría has blamed governments for the rise of populism and political fragmentation across Europe, claiming they also did not deliver benefits that were promised to citizens, he told EURACTIV in an interview.
Asylum reform: ‘Europe United’ must unite refugee families
On World Refugee Day (20 June), it is important to touch upon the sensitive issue of uniting families at a time when separation is happening on the US border. However, separation is also a consequence of the Dublin regulation, which must be reformed, writes Iverna Mc Gowan.
MEPs condemn Hungary’s post-Cotonou agreement blockade
Hungary continues to block the European mandate to begin negotiations with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, to the great displeasure of MEPs. EURACTIV.fr reports.
MEP: In the long term, migrants will be part of solution in Europe
More and more voices are calling for an urgent reform of the strained Dublin asylum system as migrants continue arriving across the Mediterranean and migration takes centre stage in Europe again.
Military industry fund could encourage development and export of controversial weaponry
The EU is about to agree a shared military industry fund which will give billions to arms companies and exacerbate the global arms race. Presented as a key step to strengthen the EU, instead, it enshrines renewed prevalence of national interests in a hard-security context, writes Laëtitia Sédou.
Verhofstadt threatens to take Council to court for ‘failure to act’ on asylum reform
The European Parliament debated the priorities for Europe on Tuesday, ahead of a crucial EU summit due on 28-29 June. Among those priorities, the reform of the Dublin regulation seems the most pressing and MEPs urged EU leaders to find an agreement on the asylum system.
Abolish Dublin Regulation for a humane asylum system built on solidarity
The European Parliament and the Council will soon negotiate a revision of the Dublin regulation, concerning the EU's asylum system. This is an opportunity for the EU to develop a more humane system based on objective criteria, and for every member state to take its share of responsibility, writes Cornelia Ernst.
Western Balkan enlargement will catalyse a stronger Europe
Addressing the reforms needed to prepare the six Balkan countries for EU accession can be cathartic in effect, and reinvigorate the European Union, writes Andrey Kovatchev.
EU needs to act now to salvage Iran nuclear deal
The Iran nuclear deal seems to have gone down the drain after the withdrawal of the US. European governments need to unify behind a more assertive diplomatic strategy if they are to have any influence in forthcoming US policy on Iran. Ellie Geranmayeh points out six key actions the EU should prioritise on to potentially save the deal.
Longevity and the limits of the welfare state in Europe
In November 2017, the EU proclaimed the European Pillar of Social Rights. However, there are still many shortcomings within the current welfare state and unless policies reflect values then plummeting fertility rates or fading solidarity between young and old will persist, writes Anna Záborská.