European Union | GlobalPost

Four EU states urge stiffer steps on immigrant fraud

Agence France-PresseApril 25, 2013 09:17

Austria, Britain, Germany and the Netherlands have called for the EU to step up measures to combat the fraud or abuse of welfare systems by immigrants, according to a letter seen by AFP Thursday. The four European Union members argue that an inability to enforce immigration rules because the sanctions are ineffective is shaking host countries' confidence in the right to free movement. They call for talks on sanctions to include expulsion and a ban on re-entry "for appropriate periods".

Switzerland limits work permits to EU citizens

Agence France-PresseApril 24, 2013 11:45

The Swiss government on Wednesday decided to extend a safeguard clause limiting work permits for certain EU citizens for 12 months and include workers from all the union's 27 nations beginning next month. "In the coming 12 months, workers from EU states will have only restricted access to the Swiss labour market," the Swiss Federal Council said in a statement. The decision is in response to calls by right-wing political parties, and comes despite the opposition of the left and the country's powerful financial sector.

EU lawmakers reject mining of air passenger data

Agence France-PresseApril 24, 2013 11:30

EU lawmakers on Wednesday rejected plans to allow European air passenger data to be used to fight against organised crime and terrorism, the European Parliament said. A proposal by the European Union executive following extensive negotiations going back years with mainly US authorities "was rejected by Civil Liberties Committee MEPs Wednesday, by 30 votes to 25," a Parliament statement said.

Iceland may skip EU mating dance after poll

Agence France-PresseApril 23, 2013 22:16

The European Union is an exclusive club many countries are vying to join. But Iceland, as it goes to the polls, is having severe second thoughts. The bid by the North Atlantic island nation to join the EU, launched in 2009, could be abandoned after Saturday's general election if parties opposed to membership win as opinion surveys suggest they will. Reykjavik has been making quiet progress in negotiations with Brussels by avoiding sensitive issues, among which fishing is the most important.

EU probes Greek airlines merger

Agence France-PresseApril 23, 2013 11:31

EU anti-trust authorities said Tuesday they had opened a full probe into the planned takeover of Greece's Olympic Air by Aegean Airlines. The European Commission said that the merger of the two main Greek airlines offering passenger air transport services on Greek domestic and international routes raised "concerns that the transaction may lead to price increases and poorer service." The companies now have until September 3 to respond.

EU plan to buy rebel oil 'act of aggression'

Agence France-PresseApril 23, 2013 11:02

An EU plan to buy oil from rebel-held areas of Syria is illegal and an "act of aggression," the Syrian foreign ministry warned on Tuesday in letters to the United Nations. "In an unprecedented decision that contradicts international law and the UN Charter... the European Union has decided to allow member states to import petrol... under the pretext of supporting the opposition," state news agency SANA reported, citing the letters. "It is an illegal decision and an act of aggression."

Cyprus a 'guinea pig' for EU haircut experiment

Agence France-PresseApril 22, 2013 14:34

Cyprus was a "guinea pig" for an EU-imposed experiment that saw bank depositors slapped with a levy on their savings, President Nicos Anastasiades told a meeting of EU parliament speakers on Monday. The eurozone last week formally approved a bailout for Cyprus, which will have to stump up 13 billion euros ($17 billion) of its own to secure 10 billion euros from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

EU ends Myanmar sanctions, arms embargo remains

Agence France-PresseApril 22, 2013 12:31

EU foreign ministers agreed Monday to lift the last of the bloc's trade, economic and individual sanctions against Myanmar, hailing "a new chapter" with the once pariah state. "In response to the changes that have taken place and in the expectation that they will continue, the Council (of ministers) has decided to lift all sanctions with the exception of the embargo on arms," said a statement approved without a vote. "The EU is willing to open a new chapter in its relations with Myanmar/Burma, building a lasting partnership," it added.

EU ends Myanmar sanctions, arms embargo remains

Agence France-PresseApril 22, 2013 11:15

EU eases Syria oil embargo to assist rebels

Agence France-PresseApril 22, 2013 11:01

European Union foreign ministers on Monday eased an oil embargo against Syria with the aim of helping rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Under the deal, European firms seeking to import Syrian crude or invest in the energy sector would ask for authorisation from their government, which in turn would confer with Syria's opposition National Coalition to secure its agreement.