Sánchez walks a tightrope as Spain commits to NATO target
08 May Foreign & Security Policy

Sánchez walks a tightrope as Spain commits to NATO target

With Spain pledging to spend 2% of its GDP on defence, PM Pedro Sánchez faces scepticism as he stretches the definition of military spending. Around Europe, not everyone is impressed.
by Arno Van Rensbergen
Russian gas phaseout: Why going cold turkey is easier said than done
07 May EU Institutions
Russian gas phaseout: Why going cold turkey is easier said than done
Op-ed: EU's Russian speakers are an opportunity, not a risk
07 May Culture & Arts
Op-ed: EU's Russian speakers are an opportunity, not a risk
EU risks over-reliance on Turkey for defence
05 May Foreign & Security Policy
EU risks over-reliance on Turkey for defence
MEPs vote down infamous kebab resolution
14 Dec
MEPs vote down infamous kebab resolution
A resolution opposing the authorisation of phosphate additives in kebab meat has failed to win an absolute majority of MEPs.
EU Parliament approves Panama Papers committee recommendations
14 Dec
EU Parliament approves Panama Papers committee recommendations
Open registers of beneficial owners, effective whistle-blower protection and rules for intermediaries are a must to fight tax evasion, say MEPs.
Rohingya crisis: MEPs urge EU to 'significantly increase pressure' on Myanmar
14 Dec
Rohingya crisis: MEPs urge EU to 'significantly increase pressure' on Myanmar
MEPs have called for an inter-governmental summit to end the ongoing persecution of Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims.
Michel Barnier to MEPs: Trust is key to very tough Brexit talks
13 Dec
Michel Barnier to MEPs: Trust is key to very tough Brexit talks
Chief EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has told MEPs that mutual trust will be vital in the second phase of the Brexit talks which are expected to begin early in the New Year.
CEN and CENELEC aligned with the priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
13 Dec
CEN and CENELEC aligned with the priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
As of 1 January 2018, Bulgaria will take over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time, and this, 10 years after its accession to the EU. 
European Parliament’s chief Brexit negotiator calls for Brexit first phase deal to be transposed into legally binding text
13 Dec
European Parliament’s chief Brexit negotiator calls for Brexit first phase deal to be transposed into legally binding text
Agreement on the first phase of Brexit should be translated into a legal text within weeks, says Guy Verhofstadt
MEPs give go-ahead for phase two of Brexit talks
13 Dec
MEPs give go-ahead for phase two of Brexit talks
MEPs have welcomed the joint EU-UK progress report on the Brexit talks and have recommended moving to phase two.
EU must stop subsidising fossil-fuels infrastructure
13 Dec
EU must stop subsidising fossil-fuels infrastructure
The European Fund for Strategic Investments is funding dozens of carbon-intensive projects, at the expense of genuinely sustainable infrastructure, argues Anna Roggenbuck
European Aluminium applauds EU, Japan and U.S. agreement to tackle excess capacities collectively
13 Dec
European Aluminium applauds EU, Japan and U.S. agreement to tackle excess capacities collectively
Brussels, 13 December 2017- Yesterday, Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Trade, Hiroshige Seko, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and Ambassador Robert E. Lighthizer, U.S. Trade Representative, agreed to strengthen trilateral cooperation in the WTO and other forums in order to battle unfair trade. European Aluminium, the voice of the entire aluminium value chain, welcomes the new commitment.
EU Parliament raises concerns over UK backtracking on Brexit deal
12 Dec
EU Parliament raises concerns over UK backtracking on Brexit deal
People are now asking if the EU can trust the British, warns leader of European Parliament’s largest political group.
EU more than ever needs a simple CAP
12 Dec
EU more than ever needs a simple CAP
The latest CAP reform is set to greatly benefit farmers, explains Paolo De Castro.
Future of food and farming communication is only the beginning of the road
12 Dec
Future of food and farming communication is only the beginning of the road
The European Commission’s communication on the future of food and farming leaves too many questions unanswered, says Czesław Adam Siekierski.
Farming: An EU success story
12 Dec
Farming: An EU success story
The communication on future food and farming indicates the way forward for EU farming, says Jerzy Plewa.
Richard Corbett: Many Brexit issues remain unclear
11 Dec
Richard Corbett: Many Brexit issues remain unclear
S&D group MEP Richard Corbett has accused UK Prime Minister Theresa May of “fudging” the Brexit talks with the EU.
Robotics will be a key driver of economic growth
11 Dec
Robotics will be a key driver of economic growth
Europe is a world leader in AI and robotics, but investment is necessary to retain this position, writes Roberto Viola.
Robotics will shape the future of work
11 Dec
Robotics will shape the future of work
While some may fear robotics will lead to job losses, David Casa argues they will be a positive development for our labour markets.
Movers and Shakers | 11 December 2017
11 Dec
Movers and Shakers | 11 December 2017
Keep track of developments in the European institutions and public affairs with our movers and shakers column. on 11 December 2017
Special status for Northern Ireland would create unacceptable internal barriers to UK
08 Dec
Special status for Northern Ireland would create unacceptable internal barriers to UK
Creating barriers to trade with Great Britain would jeopardise Northern Ireland economically and socially - and may be the biggest threat to peace, writes Diane Dodds.
Brexit: Fears persist over citizens' rights
08 Dec
Brexit: Fears persist over citizens' rights
Campaigners, including Greens/EFA group MEP Jean Lambert, have voiced fears that the issue of citizens’ rights will be sidelined in the Brexit talks.
Defence industry needs 'more Europe'
08 Dec
Defence industry needs 'more Europe'
Though MEPs support new Commission proposals to develop Europe’s defence industry, the role of SMEs and having ‘geographic balance’ is of concern to some deputies. 
EU defence: By spending together, we can spend better
08 Dec
EU defence: By spending together, we can spend better
The new European defence fund will provide innovative support to EU defence, writes Elżbieta Bieńkowska.
Breakthrough in Brexit talks paves way for second phase of negotiations
08 Dec
Breakthrough in Brexit talks paves way for second phase of negotiations
The European Commission has recommended to the Council to conclude that sufficient progress has been made in the first phase of the Article 50 negotiations with the UK to allow the Brexit talks to move to the next stage.
World leaders express alarm at Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as capital of Israel
07 Dec
World leaders express alarm at Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as capital of Israel
International leaders have condemned Donald Trump's decision to officially recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
20,000 gather in Brussels to show support for ousted Catalan President
07 Dec
20,000 gather in Brussels to show support for ousted Catalan President
Over 20,000 protesters gathered in Brussels on Thursday to show support for deposed Catalan President Carles Puigdemont and urge the EU to support their drive for Catalan independence from Spain.