European Union

Georgia’s president says she’ll veto a controversial media law passed by parliament

By Sophiko Megrelidze, Associated Press

In an interview with The Associated Press, she harshly criticized the ruling Georgian Deam party for pushing the bill that also is widely seen as a threat to Georgia’s aspirations to join the European Union.

Georgian lawmakers approve a divisive foreign influence bill that sparked weeks of protests

By Sophiko Megrelidze, Associated Press

Georgian lawmakers have approved a "foreign influence" bill that sparked weeks of mass protests. Critics see it as a Russian-style threat to free speech and the country's aspirations to join the European Union.

Lawmakers in Serbia elect new government with pro-Russia ministers sanctioned by U.S.

By Jovana Gec, Associated Press

The move on Thursday reflected persistent close ties with Moscow despite the Balkan nation's proclaimed bid to join the European Union. Prime Minister Miloš Vučević's government got backing in a 152-61 vote in the 250-member parliament.

EU tightens visa requirements for Ethiopians over a lack of government cooperation on deportations

By Associated Press

The European Union is tightening visa requirements for people from Ethiopia. It says the government there is not cooperating on the deportation of citizens found to be living illegally in the bloc.

EU leaders vow to impose tougher sanctions against Iran as Ukraine’s president pleads for support

By Lorne Cook, Samuel Petrequin, Associated Press

At a summit in Brussels on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron urged his EU counterparts to "adapt" and "expand" sanctions against Iran. Meanwhile, the war between Russia and Ukraine remained high on the EU's agenda.

The EU plans to fast-track some financial aid to Egypt amid influx of migrants

By Lorne Cook, Associated Press

The funds are part of a bigger aid package under an EU-Egypt deal aimed partly at stopping migrants from reaching European shores.

A major European climate change plan stumbles amid farmer protests

By Raf Cassert, Associated Press

The change of heart follows weeks of relentless protests from farmers across the bloc who have argued that reams of environmental laws governing the way they work are driving them toward bankruptcy.

UK farmers in tractors head to Parliament to protest rules they say threaten livelihoods

By Associated Press

U.K. agriculture has been heavily affected by Britain's exit from the EU. Many farmers say post-Brexit trade deals have opened the door to cheap imports that are undercutting British producers.

French President Macron regrets the Senate’s vote to reject the EU-Canada trade deal criticized by farmers

By Sylvie Corbet, Associated Press

The so-called CETA deal has been criticized by farmers as bringing unfair competition from abroad. It provisionally went into effect in September 2017 after all EU governments agreed to it, but its full implementation requires approval by each national parliament.

UN chief urges the EU to avoid humanitarian ‘double standards’ over Gaza and Ukraine

By Lorne Cook, Associated Press

European Union leaders are being urged to show the same respect for international law in Gaza as they aim to uphold in Ukraine. The appeal comes as hundreds of thousands of Palestinians face possible famine in Gaza.