New EU sanctions target Russian military-industrial complex
December 16, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union said Friday its latest round of sanctions will hit Russia's military-industrial complex, as well as people and groups that are attacking Ukrainian civilians or kidnapping children.
China’s Xi urges Ukraine talks in meeting with EU’s Michel
December 1, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping urged negotiations on a political solution to the Ukraine conflict in talks with visiting European Council President Charles Michel in Beijing Thursday, state broadcaster CCTV said.
European leader calls on world, China to pressure Russia
November 15, 2022 GMTNUSA DUA, Indonesia (AP) — The European Council president urged global powers Tuesday to intensify pressure on Russia over its war against Ukraine, including Moscow's biggest supporter, China, saying that this week's meeting of the world's largest economies was crucial to stopping Moscow's push "to use food and energy as weapons.”
EU leaders weigh future of China ties as rivalry mounts
October 21, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders on Friday weighed the future of their increasingly testy relations with China as President Xi Jinping was expected to be reappointed leader at the Communist Party congress taking place this week.
France, Portugal, Spain agree on Med ‘green energy corridor’
October 20, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — The leaders of France, Portugal and Spain said Thursday they have agreed to substitute a proposed gas pipeline connection between Iberia and France with an undersea “green energy corridor” that would eventually transport hydrogen.
EU urges N Macedonia to back proposed deal with Bulgaria
July 5, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — European Council President Charles Michel urged North Macedonia on Tuesday to back a French-proposed compromise on ending a dispute with neighboring Bulgaria that's blocking the country's long-delayed European Union accession bid.
EU countries prolong COVID-19 certificates amid rising cases
June 28, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — European Union countries approved Tuesday extending the use of COVID-19 certificates by one year until the end of June 2023 as cases of the deadly virus start to grow again ahead of the summer holiday season.
Moldova, tiny, poor and bordering Ukraine, gets EU candidacy
June 23, 2022 GMTSIGHISOARA, Romania (AP) — The European Union announced Thursday that it has granted EU candidate status to Moldova, a poor non-NATO Eastern European country bordering war-torn Ukraine, which likely won’t enjoy the perks of full bloc membership for years to come.
Leading EU official calls bloc’s expansion a “top priority”
June 16, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — European Council President Charles Michel visited North Macedonia on Thursday and said efforts to start European Union membership talks with the landlocked Balkan country and neighboring Albania have become a “top priority” since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
EU blames Russia for food crisis, Russian UN envoy walks out
June 6, 2022 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — European Council President Charles Michel accused Russia on Monday of using food supplies as “a stealth missile against developing countries” and blamed the Kremlin for the looming global food crisis, prompting Moscow’s U.N.
Japan, EU agree to raise efforts on Russia, in Indo-Pacific
May 12, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan and the European Union on Thursday agreed to step up their sanctions against Russia as leaders from the two sides raised concerns about the war’s impact in the Indo-Pacific, where they seek to strengthen their partnership and increase engagement amid China's growing assertiveness.
Business Highlights: Employers post record job openings
May 3, 2022 GMT___
Slovakia, Hungary won’t back EU sanctions on Russian energy
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Slovakia and Hungary say they won’t support sanctions against Russian energy that the European Union is preparing over the war in Ukraine.
Polish court sees no grounds to arrest prominent lawyer
April 29, 2022 GMTWARSAW, Poland (AP) — A prominent Polish lawyer who has represented leading political opposition figures and was treated as a suspect in a politically sensitive case was cleared by a court on Friday.
EU council head suggests giving asylum to Russian deserters
April 6, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — European Council president Charles Michel said on Wednesday that European Union countries should think about ways to offer asylum to Russian soldiers willing to desert Ukraine battlefields.
China rejects sanctions as Ukraine war tops summit agenda
April 2, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — China on Friday renewed its criticism of Western sanctions against Russia, as top European Union officials sought assurances from Beijing that it would not help Moscow circumvent the economic measures imposed in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Draghi leads push for common EU response to energy crisis
March 18, 2022 GMTROME (AP) — Italian Premier Mario Draghi hosted leaders from three fellow Mediterranean countries Friday to push for an urgent, common European response to the energy crisis, which has been worsened by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is threatening the economic recovery of small businesses and ordinary citizens.
EU advises further relaxing travel rules for foreigners
February 22, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — European Union member countries agreed Tuesday that they should further facilitate tourist travel into the 27-nation bloc for people who are vaccinated against the coronavirus or have recovered from COVID-19.
COVID contact means Michel can’t be at EU parliament session
January 19, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — European Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday became the second top-level European Union official who has had to pull out of the bloc’s parliament session because of contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus.
Macron unveils EU agenda before French presidential race
December 9, 2021 GMTPARIS (AP) — French President Macron vowed to work to make Europe “more powerful” in the world as France is about to take up the rotating presidency of the European Union, a tenure that overlaps with the country's presidential election and could put him in a tricky position if he campaigns for a second term.
EU adopts 5 billion-euro Brexit reserve to help businesses
September 28, 2021 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Council on Tuesday approved a 5 billion-euro ($5.8 billion) reserve aimed at helping EU businesses tackle the short-term effects of Brexit.
The council, which represents the national government of every EU member nation, said the money will cover extra costs and compensate losses from the U.K.'s withdrawal from the 27-nation trade bloc.
Afghan ‘wake-up call’ breeds support for EU military force
September 1, 2021 GMTLJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — The collapse of Afghanistan's government, the Taliban’s takeover of the country, and the rush to evacuate European citizens and Afghan employees have highlighted the European Union’s need for its own rapid-reaction military force, senior EU officials say.
EU takes US off safe travel list; backs travel restrictions
August 30, 2021 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union recommended Monday that its 27 nations reinstate restrictions on tourists from the U.S. because of rising coronavirus infections there, but member countries will keep the option of allowing fully vaccinated U.S.
EU says democratic standards under threat in Poland, Hungary
July 20, 2021 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Democratic standards in the European Union are eroding in several member countries, particularly in Hungary and Poland where judicial independence is under threat, the EU’s executive commission said Tuesday in its annual report on adherence to the rule of law.
EU vows to help Lithuania amid flow of migrants from Belarus
July 6, 2021 GMTVILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — The European Union promised Tuesday to help bloc member Lithuania handle an influx of migrants from the Middle East and Africa, which the Baltic nation says is encouraged by authorities in neighboring Belarus as part of their standoff with the West.
Back in Poland’s politics Tusk wants peace among opposition
July 6, 2021 GMTWARSAW, Poland (AP) — The former top European Union leader who recently took the helm of Poland's strongest opposition party appealed Tuesday for a “non-aggression pact” among the opponents of the country's right-wing government.
EU approves 191.5 billion euros in recovery funds for Italy
June 22, 2021 GMTROME (AP) — The European Union's executive Commission on Tuesday formally approved 191.5 billion euros ($228.5 billion) in pandemic recovery funds for Italy, the 27-nation bloc's third-biggest economy.
EU vows a firm response as Brexit tensions rise anew
June 10, 2021 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Top European Union officials vowed Thursday to use all measures available to ensure that the United Kingdom respects the terms of its Brexit agreement with the bloc as tensions rise over trade involving Northern Ireland.
EU leaders express support for holding Tokyo Olympics
May 27, 2021 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s two top officials expressed support Thursday for holding the Tokyo Olympics despite growing opposition to the event in Japan because of the coronavirus pandemic.
EU says US stand on patent virus waiver is no ‘magic bullet’
May 8, 2021 GMTPORTO, Portugal (AP) — European Union leaders cranked up their criticism of the U.S. call to waive COVID-19 vaccine patents Saturday, arguing the move would yield no short-term or intermediate improvement in vaccine supplies and could even have a negative impact...
EU, India try again to clinch trade deal, sidelining China
May 8, 2021 GMTPORTO, Portugal (AP) — The European Union and India agreed Saturday to restart negotiations on a bilateral free trade deal, eight years after their first attempt failed and as both sides seek alternatives to China...
Turkey says it’s glad a woman leads EU’s executive branch
April 28, 2021 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The Turkish government again rejected the accusation that it snubbed the head of the European Union's executive arm because she is a woman, insisting Wednesday that internal EU squabbling was to blame for a protocol gaffe during a meeting with Turkey's president...
France’s Macron plays hard ball in EU Brexit debate
April 11, 2019 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron's drive for a swift end to the European Union's long-running, slow-moving Brexit crisis divided a summit that finally granted Britain another delay in leaving the bloc...
Trick or treat? EU, UK agree to delay Brexit until Halloween
April 11, 2019 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — As if Brexit hadn't spooked Britain and the European Union enough over the past three years, the two sides agreed early Thursday to extend the deadline to Halloween...
The Latest: Tusk urges EU leaders to grant May ‘flextension’
April 9, 2019 GMTBERLIN (AP) — The Latest on Brexit discussions (all times local):
7:25 p.m.
European Council President Donald Tusk is urging European Union leaders to grant the United Kingdom a flexible extension to its departure date from the bloc...
UK’s prime minister asks EU to delay Brexit until June 30
April 5, 2019 GMTLONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday again sought to delay Brexit until June 30 to avoid a chaotic withdrawal from the European Union in one week, although a key leader of the bloc suggested an even longer pause in the difficult divorce proceedings...
EU takes charge, forces Brexit deadlines on UK’s May
March 22, 2019 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Isolated at home and abroad, British Prime Minister Theresa May will be laboring against the odds once again to win backers in Parliament for her unloved Brexit deal, this time to a timetable dictated by the European Union...
What’s next after UK seeks 3-month delay to Brexit?
March 20, 2019 GMTLONDON (AP) — With just nine days to go until Brexit day, Prime Minister Theresa May has asked the European Union to postpone Britain's departure from the European Union until June 30...
Main UK opposition party takes step to back new Brexit vote
February 25, 2019 GMTLONDON (AP) — Prime Minister Theresa May returned from a seemingly unproductive meeting with European Union leaders Monday to a growing attempt by British lawmakers to stop her from taking Britain out of the EU on March 29 without a divorce deal...
UK leader delays Brexit vote, risks further Cabinet discord
February 24, 2019 GMTSHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (AP) — British Prime Minister Theresa May announced Sunday that she is delaying a vote on her Brexit deal in Parliament, saying it should now take place by March 12, a little more than two weeks before the U...
EU chief ponders ‘special place in hell’ for some Brexiteers
February 6, 2019 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — European Council President Donald Tusk took a swipe Wednesday at some Brexit-backers in Britain, wondering aloud what "special place in hell" might be reserved for those who had no idea how to deliver the country's exit from the European Union...
The Latest: Theresa May postpones vote on Brexit deal
December 11, 2018 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The Latest on Brexit (all times local):
7:20 p.m.
European Union official Donald Tusk says the bloc won't renegotiate the Brexit deal with the U...
UK leader warns ousting her won’t make Brexit talks easier
November 18, 2018 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain's besieged Prime Minister Theresa May warned Sunday that a leadership change wouldn't make Brexit negotiations easier, as opponents in her Conservative Party threaten to unseat her and the former Brexit secretary suggested she failed to stand up to bullying from European Union officials...
EU to UK: Produce ‘realistic’ Brexit plan or risk failure
June 29, 2018 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union issued a stark assessment of the gridlocked Brexit talks Friday, saying there's been "no substantial progress" on the key issue of the Irish border and advising EU nations to ramp up their preparations for the possibility that Britain could crash out of the bloc without a deal.
EU tells UK: No trade talks without progress on Irish border
December 1, 2017 GMTLONDON (AP) — The European Union warned Britain on Friday that it must outline by next week how it plans to keep an open Irish border after Brexit or the bloc will refuse to start negotiating a new trade deal with the U...
The Latest: EU chief: No role for EU in Catalonia dispute
October 19, 2017 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The Latest on the Spain-Catalonia political crisis (all times local):
The Latest: EU chief says his job should go in streamlining
September 13, 2017 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The Latest on the "State of the European Union" address by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (all times local):
12:10 p.m.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is calling for a major shake-up of European Union's institutions that could involve his job becoming redundant.
The Latest: Leaders pledge to boost climate efforts
June 2, 2017 GMTPARIS (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord (all times local):...
The countdown begins: Britain to start EU exit on March 29
March 20, 2017 GMTLONDON (AP) — Britain will begin divorce proceedings from the European Union on March 29, starting the clock on two years of intense political and economic negotiations that will fundamentally change both the nation and its European neighbors...
Tusk says upcoming EU summit will focus on border control
September 13, 2016 GMTWARSAW, Poland (AP) — European Council President Donald Tusk said Tuesday he wants an upcoming informal EU summit to assure participants that Europe can effectively defend its borders.
Tusk said that the "migration crisis" has exposed "weakness and chaos" in the EU's border security.