EU ministers agreed early on Wednesday a reform of the EU's fishing quota system that must now be approved by the European Parliament, where lawmakers are set on curbing overfishing. Ireland, which is chairing the talks under the country's six-month EU presidency, is trying to reconcile the conflicting interests of member states with the hardline stance of the European Parliament. The key sticking point is Parliament's insistence that discards -- the wasteful practice of dumping unwanted fish overboard -- should be banned.

Popular support for the European Union and greater economic integration to combat the debt crisis has fallen sharply, especially in key member France, a Pew Research survey shows. Under the headline 'The New Sick Man of Europe: the European Union,' the survey shows favourable opinion of the EU slumping from 60 percent in 2012 to just 45 percent now. In France, the reading tumbled from 60 percent to 41 percent. "The effort over the past half century to create a more united Europe is now the principal casualty of the euro crisis," it said in a report late Monday.

The European Commission outlined on Wednesday plans to ensure all EU citizens can access banking services that would have to become more transparent and user-friendly. One measure is designed to make it easier to switch banks, similar to EU measures to open up utility markets in recent years. Finally, according to proposals seen by AFP the regulations will insist on transparent cost information for consumers.

The European Commission outlined on Wednesday plans to ensure all EU citizens can access banking services that would have to become more transparent and user-friendly. One measure is designed to make it easier to switch banks, similar to EU measures to open up utility markets in recent years. Finally, according to proposals seen by AFP the regulations will insist on transparent cost information for consumers.