European Union
Ireland's Prime Minister Bertie Ahern plans to put forward Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso as the new President of the European Commission, succeeding Romano Prodi. Ahern, President of the European Union, believes there is overwhelming support for the Portuguese socialist leader among European heads of state.
European Union
Tony Blair and Michael Howard yesterday engaged in a heated parliamentary debate over the European Union constitution, with the prime minister defending the treaty's impact on UK sovereignty and the Tory leader accusing Blair of "selling out" British interests. The clash came as the pair made
European Union
Within hours of the European Union's constitutional treaty agreement, business leaders and economists sent a warning letter to British voters that the treaty would harm the country's prosperity and democracy. In response, 11 business supporters have come forward with a detailed argument for supporting the treaty,
European Union
As European Union leaders gather in Brussels for a crucial summit on a new constitutional treaty, they are set to engage in a fierce battle over the nomination of a new European Commission president. The summit, aimed at projecting a new mood of European unity, is threatened to sour by
European Union
Top-level officials from the European Union and the four-nation South American customs union, Mercosur, met in Sao Paulo to revive stalled negotiations to create one of the largest free trade areas in the world. The meeting came after talks between the two sides came to an unexpected standstill in Buenos
European Union
Spain, a country that has benefited greatly from its EU membership, displays a unique paradox. On one hand, Spaniards show genuine enthusiasm for the EU, with over 70% feeling "attached to Europe" and over half trusting EU institutions. However, they display a startling lack of knowledge about EU
European Union
EU subsidies for tuna farming in the Mediterranean have led to a significant increase in the capture and fattening of wild bluefin tuna, threatening the species' extinction in the region. Last year, tuna farming in the Mediterranean reached 21,000 tonnes, a 50% increase from the previous year. This
European Union
Hungary, fresh from embracing the Atlantic community, is poised to take the final step by adopting the euro, but its journey is fraught with economic perils. With over half of its trade in the eurozone and a significant portion of its transactions entangled with the common currency, the stakes are
European Union
The European Union is considering a proposal that would make environmental conservation schemes in agriculture reforms voluntary, rather than compulsory, potentially weakening the bloc's commitment to sustainable farming. The planned "agri-environmental" schemes are designed to support farmers in protecting biodiversity and historic landscapes, but officials are
European Union
Girls such as Eylem Yel, who dreams of becoming a teacher, are often denied an education by their families in rural Turkey due to cultural and social prejudices. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in poor, isolated, mountainous regions where predominantly Kurdish families have limited access to education and opportunities. The
European Union
EU Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten has made a passionate plea against the idea that a clash between Western and Islamic civilizations is inevitable. Patten argued that many Arabs appreciate the same values as Westerners, including democracy, but are put off by Western policies, particularly those related to the
European Union
Pat Cox, the Irish president of the European Parliament, has been awarded the prestigious Charlemagne Prize, adding weight to his ambitions to become president of the European Commission. Cox, a former economics lecturer and television journalist, has been praised for his communication skills and ability to elevate the often obscure
