european union

EU Supports the Use of Western Weapons on Russian Soil

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Friday that she had arrived in Kyiv to offer support ahead of winter, as Russia keeps up its bombing campaign of Ukraine's energy infrastructure. "My eighth visit to Kyiv comes as the heating season starts soon, and Russia keeps targeting energy infrastructure," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter, along with a ...

Germany Expands Border Controls to Curb Irregular Migration

Germany will expand border controls from Monday to the frontiers with all nine of its neighbors to stop irregular migrants, in a move that has sparked protests from other EU members. Berlin announced the sweeping measure following a string of deadly extremist attacks that have stoked public fears and boosted support for the far-right Alternative ...

France Proposes Foreign Minister Sejourne, Following Breton's Shock Resignation

France will propose Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne to serve on the European Commission after the shock resignation of Brussels heavyweight Thierry Breton, President Emmanuel Macron's office said on Monday. Sejourne "meets all the necessary criteria", the Elysee Palace said, highlighting his previous experience leading the liberal Renew group ...

EU Calls for "Immediate" Humanitarian Pause for Gaza Vaccination

The European Union on Thursday called for "immediate" humanitarian pauses to allow the polio vaccination of all children in the Gaza Strip, which last month recorded its first case of the disease in 25 years. The World Health Organization and UN children's fund UNICEF are planning two vaccination drives across the territory in coming weeks, ...

Iran's New Foreign Minister Calls for EU Dialogue

Iran's new Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has called for dialogue with the European Union to resolve bilateral issues, following a phone call with the bloc's top diplomat. "The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes the development of relations with the European Union in an environment based on mutual respect," Araghchi said in a statement issued ...

European-British Security Cooperation: Undefined Areas

In addition to the significant economic challenge posed by Brexit, the security dimension was equally, if not more, crucial from a strategic perspective, given its serious implications for both Europe and Britain. The United Kingdom's departure from the European Union deprived it of access to shared European security and intelligence systems, ...

Borrell to Propose Sanctioning Israeli Officials over 'Violent Settlers'

The European Union's top diplomat Josep Borrell said Friday he would propose sanctions against Israeli government "enablers" of Jewish settler violence, following a deadly attack on a village in the occupied West Bank. "Day after day, in an almost total impunity, Israeli settlers fuel violence in the occupied West Bank, contributing to endanger ...

2024 on Track to Be the Hottest Year on Record

It is "increasingly likely" 2024 will be the hottest year on record, despite July ending a 13-month streak of monthly temperature records, the EU's climate monitor said Thursday. The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said last month was the second warmest on record books going back to 1940, only slightly cooler than July 2023. Between June ...

EU Expresses Concern as Israeli Settlements in West Bank Grow

Israel advanced last year the highest number of settlements in the occupied West Bank since the Oslo Accords of the 1990s, the European Union's representative office in the Palestinian territories said on Friday. Plans for 12,349 housing units moved towards approval in the West Bank, the EU office said, warning of the impact on a potential ...

Stark Divide as Cyprus Marks 50 Years Since Turkish Invasion

Cyprus on Saturday marked 50 years since Turkish troops invaded the Mediterranean island, with comments from the Turkish and Cypriot leaders demonstrating the stark divide that remains. The Greek-Cypriot president of Cyprus, who seeks a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation under a UN framework, said there was no other option but reunification. But ...

Von Der Leyen Reappointed as EU Chief

Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected by MEPs on Thursday as head of the European Commission, paving the way for continuity in the European Union's main institutions. Members of the European Parliament meeting in Strasbourg on Thursday granted a second five-year term of office to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who had already ...