About: Spain
Spain drops opposition to EU limits on coal power
The Spanish government has begun winding down state aid for coal power, saying it now sides with a European Commission plan to prohibit so-called capacity payments for plants emitting more than 550g of carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour.
Spain ‘mastergate’ university faces new degree giveaway claims
A Spanish university already accused of gifting degrees to high-profile politicians is also being probed for allegedly giving away diplomas to hundreds of Italian nationals, a court spokesman said Thursday (20 September). A court in Madrid is investigating whether around...
Morocco plays cat and mouse with Africans headed to Europe
African emigrants are defying a campaign by Morocco to keep them away from land and sea crossings to Spain, which has become the main entry point to Europe for migrants and refugees following crackdowns elsewhere.
Spain’s foreign minister in bid to improve nation’s standing in Catalan conflict
As the first anniversary of the declaration of independence of Catalonia approaches and tensions between Madrid and Barcelona increase, Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Josep Borrell met with senior European officials in Strasbourg to seek support.
No country offers ports to migrant ships, angering Italy
Italy demanded on Thursday (30 August) the EU find other ports to disembark migrants rescued in the Mediterranean, suggesting it would withhold support for the EU naval mission against people-smuggling unless other countries take in survivors.
Spain PM Sánchez calls for Venezuelan migrant quotas
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Thursday (30 August) that Latin America should adopt a "quota system" to better manage the Venezuelan migrant crisis.
Italy to push EU for reform of ‘Operation Sophia’
Rome will today (30 August) ask the European Union to rotate the ports where migrants rescued at sea disembark, Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta said, with France and Spain expected to top the list.
Spain defends hard line on North African border immigration
Spain will not tolerate violent attempts to enter the country, the government said on Wednesday (August 29), in response to criticism of its swift return of 116 illegal migrants to Morocco after they stormed the fence bordering one of its North African enclaves.
Tensions rise between Madrid and Catalonia as political year begins
The recent change of government in Spain has helped ease tensions but a lawsuit filed by Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont in Belgium against the Spanish judge overseeing his case risks stoking the fires again.
Migrants who stormed Morocco-Spain border sent back
Spain on Thursday (23 August) sent back to Morocco 116 migrants who had forced their way into the Spanish territory of Ceuta, in a mass expulsion condemned by human rights activists.
Spain to tweak law, prevent Franco’s family from stalling exhumation
Spain's socialist government announced on Tuesday (21 August) it will amend the law to prevent relatives from legally disputing the exhumation of fascist dictator Francisco Franco from the vast mausoleum in Madrid where he is buried. EURACTIV's partner EFE-EPA reports.
Clouds gather for Europe in run up to 10th anniversary of financial crisis
Discrepancies between Italy and the EU over its expenditure, the trade dispute with the US and political quagmires such as the Brexit talks and the migration challenge cloud EU prospects ahead of the tenth anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers.
Germany and Greece reach agreement to repatriate refugees
Berlin has reached an agreement with Athens to send back refugees to Greece if they have already applied for asylum there. The move follows a similar agreement with Spain earlier this month, while a deal with Italy is also soon to follow.
Spain-France border town sees marked increase in migrants
With migrant arrivals to Spain's southern shores on the rise, a lot of them are heading north to the border town of Irun, some sleeping rough as they wait to cross into neighbouring France, locals and officials said.
Germany seals deal with Spain to return registered asylum seekers
Berlin and Madrid finalised an agreement on Monday (6 August) that will see asylum seekers that reach Germany via Spain returned to the Iberian nation.
More than 1,500 migrant deaths in Mediterranean this year: UNHCR
More than 1,500 refugees and migrants have died while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe in the first 7 months of this year, the UN refugee agency said Friday (3 August).
Avramopoulos in Spain to announce further EU support to tackle migration
As Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos headed to Madrid, the European Commission announced Friday (3 August) further 3 million in emergency aid to support Spanish border guards in curbing irregular migration.
Sánchez backs Morocco’s call for support to stem migrant flows
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has included Morroco's pending demands of resources for border management, in a letter addressed to the European Commission requesting further emergency assistance to tackle the surge in migrant arrivals.
UK loses EU anti-piracy missions to France and Spain
The headquarters of the EU’s anti-piracy missions off the coast of Somalia will be moved from the UK to France and Spain next year as the latest consequence of Brexit.
France, Spain, Portugal up energy links
France, Spain and Portugal agreed on 27 July to build an undersea power line in the Bay of Biscay as they up electricity links aimed at helping the Iberian peninsula out of its energy isolation.
Sanchez loses key vote as junior allies revolt against minority government
Spain’s socialist government lost on Friday (27 July) a key vote on the revised fiscal path to balance the public accounts, as Pedro Sanchez’s allies abstained calling into question the survival of his fragile minority.
Over 600 migrants force entry into North African Spanish enclave
More than 600 African migrants forced their way through the heavily fortified border fence separating the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco on Thursday, using circular saws, shears and mallets to cut through the wire.
Energy, EU reform on the agenda as Macron heads to Spain and Portugal
France's Emmanuel Macron makes his first visit as president to Spain and Portugal, starting Thursday, in his push to overhaul the EU, with the two southern allies seeking French help to connect their energy grids to Europe.