European Council

14-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The Minister for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton TD, is in Athens today for the first bilateral visit to Greece since both the Irish and Greek governments took office. The Minister met the Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras, as … Read the full press release →

14-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — There was agreement at today’s ECOFIN Council on the guidelines the Council will provide to the Commission in respect of the 2014 Budget. There was also agreement on Council conclusions in respect of the annual growth survey … Read the full press release →

Madrid, 13-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Dear President Posada, Honourable Members of Parliament, I would like to thank you most warmly for your kind invitation to appear before this chamber of Parliament. As President of the European Central Bank (ECB), it is an … Read the full press release →

Long-term support for Mali agreed at Dublin meeting of EU development Ministers 13-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — EU Development Ministers and Commissioners meeting in Dublin today agreed to resume long-term development support to Mali. Up to €250 million in EU funding will … Read the full press release →

Brussels, 12-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The President of the Committee of the Regions, Mr. Ramón Luis Valcárcel, agrees with the European Council that “the European budget must be a catalyst for growth and jobs across Europe.” He also acknowledges the efforts that have … Read the full press release →

12-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The CEF budget for telecoms has been reduced from EUR 9.2  billion to EUR 1 billion under the new budget deal agreed by the European Council. “ETNO is disappointed that budget cuts have been made which affect … Read the full press release →

Brussels, 11-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Statement by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, on the announcement of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. I deeply respect the decision of Pope Benedict XVI, especially since it is not in line with … Read the full press release →

11-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — An Informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers will take place in Dublin 12-13 February, chaired by Minister for Justice Equality and Defence Alan Shatter TD. The Secretary General of NATO and a senior UN peacekeeping official will … Read the full press release →

Brussels, 8-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — This is an important step forward for Europe’s businesses, regions, scientists, NGOs and all beneficiaries of EU funds. I am obviously disappointed that the European Council settled for such reduced amounts for future EU budgets at the … Read the full press release →

José Manuel Durão Barroso – President of the European Commission Joint press conference/Brussels, 8-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, The President of the European Council has just presented the political agreement reached by Heads of State and Government for the … Read the full press release →

8-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — EESC president Staffan Nilsson appreciates the efforts made by European Council president Herman Van Rompuy to achieve compromise and agreement among all Member States and thus pave the way for the adoption of the future budget. It … Read the full press release →

DUBLIN, 8-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, has welcomed further progress made on the EU Youth Guarantee which would form a key part of the response to the youth unemployment crisis. Minister Burton also welcomed … Read the full press release →

Brussels, 8-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — This is our first meeting of the year: welcome! Today we must reach an agreement on our Union’s budget for the rest of the decade. We’re picking up from where we left matters last November. The past … Read the full press release →

BRUSSELS, 7-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The Irish Presidency represented the Council in two days of debate at this week’s European Parliament Plenary. Irish Ministers spoke at the opening and closing of eight separate debates on a wide range of issues. Irish … Read the full press release →

7-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Trade is an Irish Presidency priority: we are committed to building momentum in the EU’s trade negotiations with other countries. President Barroso’s letter to EU leaders on February 4th pointed out in a that “grasping the opportunities … Read the full press release →

7-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — EU member states must not use the economic crisis as a pretext to force austerity upon the EU until 2020, MEPs warned in a debate on Wednesday. The EU needs a budget that is flexible enough to … Read the full press release →

Brussels, 6-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — In only two days, the European Council will begin its final negotiations on our Union’s budget for the next seven years. In fact, it will be our budget for the rest of this decade. And a budget that Member … Read the full press release →

Brussels, 5-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Vice-President Šefčovič cautiously optimistic on MFF talks; urges Member States not to break the European engine As today’s General Affairs Council (GAC) added the finishing touches to preparations for this week’s European Council, Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič said … Read the full press release →

Minister Joan Burton and the EESC agree on the necessity for a social dimension to economic and monetary union. 5-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Has EU membership benefited Ireland? On 1 February, the members of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC, … Read the full press release →

José Manuel Durão Barroso – President of the European Commission Brussels, 4-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to welcome Prime Minister Victor Ponta back to the European Commission and congratulate him on his re-election as Prime Minister … Read the full press release →