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Special coverage
The economic crisis – The EU’s response
The European Union is responding to the global economic crisis through actions on different levels.
Fast facts, background information, progress and more in depth information on main EU issues
Latest stories - External relations and foreign affairs
EU and US start negotiations on trade and investment agreement
17/06/2013 - External relations and foreign affairs
The negotiations will cover three main components: market access, regulatory issues including non-tariff barriers, and the agreement's rules. |PHOTOS|VIDEO|
- Statement by President Barroso on the EU-US trade agreement with U.S. President Obama, the President of the European Council Van Rompuy and UK Prime Minister Cameron
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Remarks by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy on the occasion of the launch of the EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)
- Trade negotiations with the United States
- More information on the EU at the G8
Council gives the green light to launch free-trade talks with the United States
14/06/2013 - External relations and foreign affairs
EU trade ministers mandated the Commission to negotiate a sweeping EU–US trade and investment pact. The talks are expected to be formally launched at the G8 on 17 June. |PHOTOS 1|2|VIDEO 1|2|
EU and Russia: towards closer relations
04/06/2013 - External relations and foreign affairs
The 31st EU-Russia summit took place in Yekaterinburg on 3 and 4 June 2013. The meeting proved to be a useful opportunity to take stock of the relationship, to cover a range of topical issues and to look ahead towards ever closer relations. |PHOTOS|VIDEO 1|2|3|
Main results of the Foreign Affairs Council
27/05/2013 - External relations and foreign affairs
The Council discussed the latest developments with respect to the Syrian crisis and repeated its call for the end of all violence. It also reiterated the urgent need for a political solution of the conflict and welcomed the joint US-Russia call for a peace conference on Syria. |PHOTOS|VIDEO|
International donor conference: €3.25 billion mobilised by international community to rebuild Mali
15/05/2013 - External relations and foreign affairs
Represented at the highest levels, the international community has mobilised decisively in support of Mali's development priorities. Donors have made public financial commitments on the basis of the Plan for the Sustainable Recovery of Mali 2013-2014 (PRED) presented by the Malian government. |PHOTOS 1|2|3|VIDEO 1|2|3|
European Neighbourhood Policy in 2012: Continuing engagement for a stronger cooperation with neighbours despite turbulent political and economic conditions
20/03/2013 - External relations and foreign affairs
The "ENP annual package" shows that many partners remain committed to strengthening relations with the EU and that the EU has deepened its support to those partners embarking on important reform agendas. |VIDEO|PHOTOS|
Foreign Affairs Council: EU Training Mission in Mali launched
18/02/2013 - Institutional affairs / External relations and foreign affairs
The EU's training mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) was launched by the Foreign Affairs Council. The objective of the mission is to support the training and reorganisation of the Malian Armed Forces.
European Union and United States to launch negotiations for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
13/02/2013 - External relations and foreign affairs
When negotiations are completed, this EU-US agreement would be the biggest bilateral trade deal ever negotiated – and it could add 0.5% to the EU's annual economic output.
Foreign Affairs Council meets in Brussels
01/02/2013 - External relations and foreign affairs
At the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council the focus was on the EU's southern neighbourhood. Other topics included the foreign policy priorities during president Obama's second term in office, the situation in Mali and Somalia as well proposed steps towards an EU policy in the Arctic.
Donor Conference on Mali: EU pledges € 50 million to support an African-based peace operation (AFISMA)
29/01/2013 - External relations and foreign affairs
At a donor conference on Mali hosted by the African Union in Addis Ababa, Commissioner for development, Andris Piebalgs, representing the European Union, confirmed the contribution of €50 million from the European Union to support the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA).
EU-CELAC Summit: Santiago Declaration
28/01/2013 - Institutional affairs / External relations and foreign affairs
Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union (EU), and the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, convened in Santiago, Chile, to renew and deepen their Strategic Partnership.
The EU brings forward the deployment of its training mission in Mali
17/01/2013 - External relations and foreign affairs
In the light of the recent developments in Mali, the EU's Foreign Affairs Ministers decided to speed up the deployment of the military training mission in Mali (EUTM Mali).
Where the European Commission's humanitarian aid will go in 2013
10/01/2013 - External relations and foreign affairs
The European Commission has adopted its plan for the allocation of over €661 million in humanitarian aid funding for 2013.
New EU initiative to combat piracy in the Gulf of Guinea
10/01/2013 - External relations and foreign affairs
The Critical Maritime Routes in the Gulf of Guinea Programme (CRIMGO) will help governments across West and Central Africa to improve safety of the main shipping routes by providing training for coastguards and establishing a network to share information between countries and agencies across the region.
30th EU-Russia summit: a way forward
21/12/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy hosted the 30th EU and Russia bilateral summit. The agenda addressed a wide range of bilateral issues, covering political and economic matters and strategic perspectives for the EU-Russia relationship.
Commission proposes improved rules to enforce EU rights under international trade agreements
18/12/2012 - Business / External relations and foreign affairs
The proposal covers the EU's trade responses in cases of illegal trade measures in other countries, and it will allow effective action to safeguard the interests of EU companies and workers.
Main results of the Foreign Affairs Council
10/12/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
Ministers debated recent developments in the Middle East. The Council stressed that now is the time to take bold steps towards peace and underlined the urgency of renewed, structured and substantial peace efforts in 2013.
Towards a free trade agreement with Japan
29/11/2012 - Business / Institutional affairs / External relations and foreign affairs
The EU Foreign Affairs (Trade) Council approved a mandate for the negotiation of a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan and authorised the opening of negotiations with Japan on a framework agreement.
Syria: EU welcomes opposition agreement
19/11/2012 - Institutional affairs / External relations and foreign affairs
At the meeting of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council, ministers highlighted the EU's support for the efforts of Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi in finding a political solution and welcomed the agreement reached by the Syrian opposition forces, whom the EU considers "legitimate representatives of the aspirations of the Syrian people".
A visa policy to spur economic growth in the EU
07/11/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs / Justice and citizens rights / Transport and travel
If fully exploited, the current visa rules could ensure that the EU remains an attractive destination for more tourists/third country nationals, while at the same time boosting EU's economic activity and job creation.
ASEM: a strong partnership for peace and prosperity
06/11/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
The overarching theme of the meeting was "Friends for Peace, Partners for Prosperity". The main topics were economic and financial matters, global, regional and socio-cultural issues and the future development of the ASEM.
The EU publishes revised preferential import scheme for developing countries
31/10/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
The new scheme will be focused on fewer beneficiaries (89 countries) to ensure more impact on countries most in need.
Improving standards for the reception of asylum seekers
25/10/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs / Justice and citizens rights
Ministers reached agreement on a directive laying down standards for the reception of asylum seekers. This directive is one of five legislative instruments making up the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) package.
European Council in Brussels on 18 and 19 October
19/10/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition / Institutional affairs / External relations and foreign affairs
The European Council reiterated its firm commitment to take resolute action to address financial market tensions, restore confidence and stimulate growth and jobs.
Main results of the Foreign Affairs Council
15/10/2012 - Institutional affairs / External relations and foreign affairs
The Council, reiterating that the EU stands by the Syrian people in its courageous struggle for freedom, dignity and democracy, underlined its deep concern at the spill-over effects of the Syrian crisis in neighbouring countries in terms of security and stability.
Nobel Peace Prize 2012 awarded to the European Union
12/10/2012 - Institutional affairs / External relations and foreign affairs
“This Prize is the strongest possible recognition of the deep political motives behind our Union: the unique effort by ever more European states to overcome war and divisions and to jointly shape a continent of peace and prosperity”.
Commission outlines next steps for EU enlargement
10/10/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
In a set of annual reports, the Commission also assesses the progress towards EU accession made elsewhere in the Western Balkans, Turkey, and Iceland over the past year.
EU puts resilience at the heart of its work on fighting hunger and poverty
03/10/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
A new communication from the European Commission outlines a wide range of activities for building resilience, from improving access to food through supporting partner countries to ensuring that governments are alerted quickly at the outbreak of crises.
Herman Van Rompuy at UN General Assembly
27/09/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, addressed the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of the European Union in New York on 26 September 2012.
New EU funding to improve border management and regional cooperation in the Eastern Partnership
25/09/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
The European Commission has approved a new support package for the EU's Eastern Neighbourhood of just over €23 million that will help to improve security, boost trade and increase mobility for people living in the region.
EU-China summit: committed to further cooperation
21/09/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
The 15th summit with China, held on 20 September 2012 in Brussels, provided strategic guidance to the increasingly rich cooperation between the two sides.
EU Aid Volunteers: Commission proposes new global humanitarian initiative
19/09/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
The European Commission set out its plans to develop a global initiative that will create opportunities for some 10,000 people from 2014-2020 to volunteer worldwide in humanitarian operations.
EU welcomes Russia's WTO accession after 18 years of negotiations
22/08/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
After 18 years of negotiations, Russia joins the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as its 156th member today. This accession is particularly important for the EU, as the EU is Russia's first trading partner and Russia is the EU's third trading partner.
EU customs detain over 100 million fake goods at EU borders
24/07/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs / Justice and citizens rights
In 2011, EU Customs detained almost 115 million products suspected of violating intellectual property rights (IPR) compared to 103 million in 2010. The number of intercepted cases increased by 15% compared to 2010.
Main results of the Foreign Affairs Council
23/07/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
The Council discussed developments in the EU's Southern neighbourhood, focusing on Syria and Libya. It strongly condemned the ever increasing use of force by the Syrian regime.
The European Asylum Support Office publishes its first Country of Origin Information (COI) report on Afghanistan
10/07/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
The European Asylum Support Office has published its first country of origin information report. The report focuses on Taliban recruitment strategies in Afghanistan. It has also published a methodology guideline for future similar reports. Country of origin reports represent a crucial tool for the decision-making on asylum applications and their availability enhances harmonisation of asylum procedures in the EU.
The European Commission boosts its humanitarian aid for Syria as Commissioner Georgieva visits Syrian refugees
20/06/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
The European Commission is increasing its humanitarian aid by EUR 10 million for those affected by the escalating violence in Syria, Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva announced today during a visit to a refugee camp in Turkey.
G20 Leaders Declaration
20/06/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
G20 leaders showed strong resolve to promote growth and jobs and the EU made an important contribution, setting out its sustained, crisis comprehensive response and policy action.
Joint EU-Mexico statement following the EU-Mexico Summit in Los Cabos
17/06/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
The Leaders highlighted the maturity of their relation in the framework of their Strategic Partnership. Likewise, the Leaders stressed the reliability and the depth of the aforementioned relation as well as the convergence in values and positions in multiple issues of the international agenda.
EU-Russia: joint commitment to develop strategic partnership further
04/06/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
During a two-day summit on 3 and 4 June in St Petersburg, the EU and Russia discussed perspectives for their relationship, economic and financial issues, and international developments.
Joint Statement by European Commission President Barroso and European Council President Van Rompuy on the election of Tomislav Nikolić as President of the Republic of Serbia
21/05/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
"Serbia's European perspective is very concrete and we therefore hope to be able to rely on President Nikolić's personal dedication to achieve this aim."
Joint statement by President Barroso and President Van Rompuy after the G8 working session on the global economy
19/05/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
“We had an important debate with the other G8 leaders on the global economy in Camp David this morning. We were comforted to hear that all leaders agree on the need to take action to boost confidence and nurture recovery in response to the current economic challenges we face.”
EU bolsters its support to reformers in its Southern and Eastern neighbourhoods
15/05/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
Over the last twelve months, the EU has responded with determination to a fast - changing situation in its neighbourhood. The joint Communication assesses the results of the new policy.
Syria: Council strengthens EU sanctions once more
14/05/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
In view of the gravity of the situation in Syria, the Council today reinforced once more EU restrictive measures against the Syrian regime. It froze the assets of two entities financially supporting the regime and targeted three additional persons with a travel ban and an asset freeze.
Customs: EU and USA agree to recognise each other's "trusted traders"
04/05/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
EU and U.S. certified trusted traders will enjoy lower costs, simplified procedures and greater predictability in their transatlantic activities, as a result of a mutual recognition decision signed today.
Council strengthens EU sanctions against Syrian regime
23/04/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
The Council decided to adopt restrictive measures on the export to Syria of additional equipment, goods and technology that can be used for internal repression or for making and maintaining such products. It also agreed to ban the sales of luxury goods from the EU to Syria.
Parliament deplores Argentina's decision to expropriate YPF
20/04/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
The European Commission should use all appropriate dispute settlement tools available at the WTO and G20 to respond to Argentina's "unilateral and arbitrary" decision to expropriate the YPF energy company, says a resolution adopted by Parliament.
Syria: Stepping up the pressure
27/02/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
Against the backdrop of the Syrian regime's continued use of violence against civilians, Foreign Affairs ministers decided to ratchet up the pressure on the Syrian regime by reinforcing the restrictive measures already in place.
Dismantling trade barriers – work still to be done says report
27/02/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
The report updates progress in negotiating the removal of protectionist measures by six partners: China, India, Japan, Mercosur, Russia and the US. It identifies 6 new priorities for EU negotiators.
Funds have helped Croatia prepare for joining EU says auditor
01/02/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
The Court of Auditors finds that pre-accession funding has helped the country prepare for managing future EU funds. Its recommendations include stronger anti-corruption measures.
Proposals to boost trade-led growth in developing countries
27/01/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
The measures would help developing countries increase international trade and would focus more on the poorest countries. They include stepped up negotiations on free trade agreements.
EU reinstates trade preferences for the Western Balkans
03/01/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
Current duty free access to the EU market has been extended to 31 December 2015. The original agreement ended on 31 December 2010. Exporters will be able to claim compensation for duties paid in 2011.