About: European Council
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).
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.