European Union

EU to Review Cooperation Deal with Israel over Gaza

The European Union on Tuesday agreed to review its cooperation deal with Israel over alleged human rights abuses in Gaza, the bloc's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said. Kallas said Brussels was acting after "a strong majority" of its 27 member states backed the move in a meeting of EU foreign ministers in a bid to pressure ...

EU Formally Adopts 17th Round of Sanctions on Russia

The EU on Tuesday formally adopted a new round of sanctions on Russia targeting its "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, and threatened more punishment for Moscow for not agreeing a Ukraine truce. "The EU has approved its 17th sanctions package against Russia, targeting nearly 200 shadow fleet ships," European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas ...

EU Urges 'Strong Action' from US Against Russia if no Ukraine Truce

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Tuesday called for the United States to take "strong action" against Russia if Moscow does not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. "America said that if Russia doesn't agree on an unconditional ceasefire, then there are going to be consequences. So we want to see those consequences, also from ...

Europe’s Election Sunday Marked by Tension

Sunday, May 18 saw three significant referendums held across the European Union – in Romania, Poland and Portugal. In each case, pro-European candidates came out on top, prevailing over a far right that continues to gain ground across the continent. At a time when Europe is navigating the turbulence of war in Ukraine and increasingly strained ...

With Assad Down and Sanctions Lifted, Are Syrian Refugees Finally Being Pressed to Leave?

The startling decision by United States President Donald Trump to lift economic sanctions on Syria, coupled with the collapse of the Assad regime, could fundamentally reshape how the Syrian displaced population in Lebanon is managed – unless their permanent return to Syria remains excluded from the agreement being brokered among the key parties ...

UK-EU set to Seal Closer ties in First Summit Since Brexit

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was set to seal a deal for closer ties with the European Union at a landmark summit on Monday, opening a new chapter after Britain's acrimonious exit from the bloc five years ago. EU diplomats said on Monday a deal had been reached on resetting ties with the UK after late night talks to resolve differences on key ...

What's on the Agenda at Landmark UK-EU Summit?

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is hosting EU chiefs at a summit on Monday, the first of its kind since Brexit, as he tries to deepen relations with the bloc. Here are the main issues at stake, with sensitive details still being thrashed out in hardball negotiations that are set to go down to the wire. Defense pact  Both parties are hopeful of ...

EU Allocates €8 Million to Support Stability and Peace in Post-Conflict Lebanon

The European Union announced on Wednesday a funding package of €8 million to support peace, stability and security in Lebanon following over a year of devastating conflict. The 13-month conflict has caused severe humanitarian consequences, including widespread civilian casualties, massive displacement and destruction of infrastructure, putting ...

Lebanon Launches Water Sector Reforms with Support from International Partners

The Minister of Energy and Water, Joe Saddi, held a working meeting with key international donors and organizations to launch a strategic dialogue on the future of the country’s water sector. The minister announced that the national water sector strategy will be revised. “Valid elements will be retained, gaps will be addressed, and necessary ...

EU Unity Urged as Germany Enforces Border Controls on Migration

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen called Friday for migration to be tackled jointly by member states as she hosted new German leader Friedrich Merz, whose government has moved to turn back asylum seekers at its borders. "Migration is a common European challenge and it needs a common European solution," the commission president told a news conference ...

Brussels Warns Trump: Tariffs on US Cars, Planes if No Deal Reached

The EU on Thursday threatened to target US cars and planes among a raft of products worth 95 billion euros ($107 billion) if negotiations with President Donald Trump's team fail to avert a trade war. The European Commission said it would, in parallel, file a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over Trump's imposition of swingeing ...

EU eyes targeting 100 bn euros of US goods with tariffs

The EU is preparing to hit US goods worth nearly 100 billion euros ($113 billion) with tariffs in retaliation for President Donald Trump's sweeping levies if talks fail, European diplomats told AFP Wednesday. Trump has slapped a series of higher tariffs on Europe since March and in his biggest move, he imposed a 20-percent tariff on a majority of ...