About: Xavier Bettel

EU country briefing: Luxembourg

Once reliant on its strong steel industry, Luxembourg is now best known for its thriving financial centre, which has turned it into one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

‘Respect’ for Luxembourg PM after he challenges Arab leaders on gay rights

Several top European politicians backed Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel on Thursday (28 February) after he told Arab leaders he was gay and could be condemned to death in some of their countries.

‘Something has to give,’ Barnier tells Brexit Britain

European Union Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Monday (11 February) British Prime Minister Theresa May should endorse a permanent customs union with the bloc - as proposed by the opposition Labour party - to break the impasse over their looming divorce.

Luxembourg election delivers uncertain outcome, greens score high

Luxembourg voters delivered an uncertain outcome in an election on Sunday (14 October), leaving the liberal-led coalition with just enough seats to stay in government and the traditionally dominant centre-right also capable of returning to power.

France, Benelux to propose EU aid for Africa in return for migrant help

France and the three Benelux countries on Thursday (6 September) launched a plan to offer EU funds to African countries in return for help stemming the flow of migrants to Europe.

No winners from post-Brexit trade pact, warn EU leaders

There will be no winners from a post-Brexit EU-UK trade agreement, EU leaders warned on Wednesday (7 March) as they unveiled the blueprint for a new partnership with Britain.

Tax fight draws divisions at EU digital summit

Supporters of a controversial new push to tax tech giants insist they will overcome fierce opposition from a group of around 10 member states.

Tusk vows to keep unity with proposal on EU’s future

European Council President Donald Tusk has set himself a time limit of two weeks to talk to leaders from every EU member state before he proposes a plan for how to advance on the future of Europe.

Merkel calls UK offer on citizens’ rights a ‘good start’

Angela Merkel gave a subdued nod but no outright approval to British Prime Minister Theresa May's proposal to protect EU citizens' rights after Brexit, pouring cold water on May's promise of a “generous” offer on one of the most sensitive issues in the divorce talks.

Orbán: No chance for single EU migration policy

Hungary's populist prime minister said Monday (19 June) that he sees no chance for a single EU-wide migration policy, just days after the bloc launched legal action against Budapest for refusing refugees under a controversial solidarity plan.

Generation Macron: Young liberal EU leaders rally behind French ‘Kennedy’

If Emmanuel Macron wins Sunday's French presidential run-off (7 May) Europe's pro-EU liberals will finally have their champion.

In Brussels, Merkel warns EU-US ties not ‘eternal’

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned the EU Thursday (12 January) it should not rely on "eternal" US support, as concern grows in Europe about Donald Trump's commitment to transatlantic ties.

Luxembourg’s PM refuses to see European values ‘erased with tipp-ex’

A lack of community spirit on the part of Europe's leaders has stalled the European project, according to Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel. He called on the EU to take a hard stance against the UK. EURACTIV France reports.

Francois Hollande buries hope of concluding TTIP this year

While the European Commission, Barack Obama and Angela Merkel all insist the transatlantic trade negotiations can be concluded by the end of the year, François Hollande has said he is ready to throw in the towel. EURACTIV France reports.

Enough with the souk in the European Council, says Bettel

In the midst of the crises Europe is facing, EU leaders need to act swiftly and stop behaving “like if they were in a souk,” said Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg, at a dinner in Brussels, on Wednesday evening (21 October).

Bettel: EU, Russia play a lose-lose game on Ukraine

EXCLUSIVE / In the wake of repeated international calls for a ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine, Europe and Russia must abide by the Minsk accord, Luxembourg prime minister Xavier Bettel told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.

Bettel: What is best for the UK is not always best for the EU

In a candid interview with EURACTIV, Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel says he is not prepared to give anything to the UK, even though he agrees with David Cameron that we need a more efficient EU.

Juncker: Commission won’t change its migration agenda

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Wednesday (3 June) that in spite of opposition from some member states, the EU executive would not change its mind on the proposals it recently made in its attempt to find a fairer way to admit and distribute asylum seekers in the EU.

Luxembourg PM is first openly gay EU leader to marry

Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel is to wed his partner today (15 May), becoming the first European Union leader to enter into a same sex marriage, a symbol of growing social change across the continent.

Luxembourg drops legal challenge to EU request for tax info

On Thursday evening (18 December), Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel announced that his country plans to withdraw two court challenges against the European Commission and will start handing over past tax rulings.