European Commission

June 26, 2025 2:49 PM

EU leaders meet to decide on whether to back quick US trade deal or seek better terms

European Union leaders are to tell the European Commission on Thursday whether they want to reach a quick trade agreement with the United States on terms that favour Washington or keep fighting for a better deal. A quick deal seems to be the preferred option for most, officials and diplomats said, as the EU can then seek to address the unfavourable bias with some rebalancing measures of its own. "I support the Commission, I support the President of the European Commission in her endeavours to ...

June 17, 2025 10:58 AM

EU readies ban on Russian gas imports by end of 2027

The European Commission is set to propose on Tuesday a ban on EU imports of Russian gas and liquefied natural gas by the end of 2027, using legal measures to ensure the plan cannot be blocked by EU members Hungary and Slovakia. The proposals will set out how the European Union plans to fix into law its vow to end decades-old energy relations with Europe's former top gas supplier Russia, made after Moscow's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. An internal Commission summary of the upcoming prop...

May 28, 2025 12:55 PM

EU almost on track to reach 2030 climate goal

The European Union is nearly on track to reach its main climate target for this decade, with countries' existing CO2-cutting plans set to bring the bloc within one percentage point of the goal, the European Commission said on Wednesday. The EU is on course to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions by 54% by 2030, compared with 1990 levels - just shy of its legally-binding goal of a 55% cut, the Commission said in an analysis of existing policies in the EU and its member countries. The analysi...

March 19, 2025 11:01 PM

Google charged with breaching landmark EU rules, Apple told to open up to rivals

Alphabet unit Google was hit with two charges of breaching landmark EU rules on Wednesday while Apple was ordered to help rivals connect with its iPhones and iPads, as antitrust regulators continued a crackdown against Big Tech. The move by the European Commission came amid tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump who has threatened to levy tariffs against countries which impose fines on U.S. companies. Both Google and Apple have been in the European Commission's crosshairs since March last y...

February 28, 2025 8:53 PM

India, EU push to conclude free trade agreement by year-end after ‘landmark’ visit

India and the European Union (EU) have set an ambitious deadline to finalize negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of this year. The decision followed high-level discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirming the development on Friday. Describing the visit as "unprecedented and landmark," MEA Secretary (West) Tanmay Lal highlighted the extensive scope of the enga...

February 28, 2025 3:52 PM

We value our partnership with India, says EU chief after meeting PM Modi

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to strengthening its ties with India, following a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome, von der Leyen emphasized that the EU highly values its partnership with India. "Dear Narendra Modi, thank you so much for hosting us in New Delhi. The EU Commission's visit symbolizes how much we value our partnership with India and how much I ...

February 27, 2025 9:34 PM

Jaishankar meets European commission president, discusses strengthening India-EU ties

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in New Delhi on Thursday, commending her vision for revitalizing India's engagement with Europe. Von der Leyen is on a two-day bilateral visit to India, accompanied by members of the European College of Commissioners. Jaishankar, in a post on X, highlighted the significance of their discussions, stating, “Pleased to call on @EU_Commission President @vonderleyen today in Delhi. Appreciate her thought...

February 27, 2025 5:05 PM

European Commission President arrives in Delhi, calls India a trusted friend and strategic ally

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in the national capital on Thursday for a two-day official visit, reaffirming India’s role as a trusted friend and strategic ally for Europe. Accompanied by the European Union College of Commissioners, von der Leyen's visit will include the second ministerial meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council, along with several bilateral ministerial meetings. She is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss ways to...

February 25, 2025 3:57 PM

Ukraine needs $524 billion to recover, rebuild after three years of war, World Bank says

The estimated cost to rebuild Ukraine's economy after Russia's invasion has risen to $524 billion, nearly three times its expected 2024 economic output, the World Bank, United Nations, European Commission and the Ukrainian government found. A new study by the institutions included data from Russia's invasion three years ago through December 31, including a 70% increase in damages to Ukraine's energy infrastructure from Russian attacks. It showed an increase of over 7% from the last estimate of...

December 4, 2024 1:39 PM

EU delays deforestation ban but discards changes

Negotiators for EU institutions agreed a compromise on Tuesday on a ban on the import of commodities linked to deforestation, which will be delayed by a year but without changes proposed by EU lawmakers. The European Commission in October proposed a 12-month delay until Dec. 30, 2025 after complaints from 20 EU countries, some companies and countries such as Brazil and Indonesia. EU governments backed the move. However, EU lawmakers voted last month not only to delay the EU Deforestation Regul...