Latest Belgium government News
French minister thanks Belgium for detaining 7 terror suspects on eve of Olympics opening ceremony
BRUSSELS (AP) — On the eve of the Olympics opening ceremony in Paris, France's interior minister thanked Belgium Thursday for a string of raids that led to the detention of seven people for questioning over suspected terrorist activities. The Belgian Federal prosecutor's office...
Family of aid worker detained in Central African Republic for alleged rebel contacts urge release
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The family of a Portuguese-Belgian aid worker detained in the Central African Republic for allegedly being in touch with armed groups to plot a coup maintained his innocence and called for his release Tuesday, even as the African government said it had evidence to support...
Far-right groups from France and Hungary to lead a new political force in the European Parliament
BRUSSELS (AP) — Far-right parties from 12 countries, including France’s National Rally and Hungary’s ruling Fidesz, announced on Monday that they have joined together to form a new bloc in the European Parliament and plan to become a major political force. The European...
Macron weakened at home and abroad as an early French election gives the far right momentum
PARIS (AP) — President Emmanuel Macron once appeared as a bold, young leader offering to revive France through radical pro-business, pro-European policies, leaving voters with “no reason anymore” to vote for the extremes. Seven years after he was first elected, his call for an...
Hungary's populist Orbán to take over EU presidency as many issues hang in the balance
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — When Hungary takes over the helm of the European Union on July 1, many politicians in Brussels will have the same thing on their minds: whether populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will use the role to further his reputation as the bloc’s main spoiler. ...
EU leaders have tapped their top brass. Von der Leyen must win over parliament to keep her job
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s leaders this week agreed with surprising speed on a trio of top jobs, tapping European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a second term, Portugal’s António Costa as European Council President, and Estonia’s Kaja Kallas as their top diplomat....
Von der Leyen, Costa and Kallas endorsed for the EU's top jobs. Here's who they are and what they do
BRUSSELS (AP) — Following the elections for EU Parliament, European Union leaders have agreed on the officials who will hold the key positions in the world’s biggest trading bloc in the coming years for issues ranging from antitrust investigations to foreign policy. The three...
Ukraine's leader urges EU leaders to make good on their arms promises as a security pact is signed
BRUSSELS (AP) — Ukraine’s president called on European Union leaders on Thursday to live up to their promises to provide military equipment to his war-ravaged country, as the bloc pledged to support the government in Kyiv long term. “Fulfilment of every promise is important,...
EU nations agree to start membership negotiations next week with Ukraine and Moldova
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union agreed Friday to start membership negotiations with embattled Ukraine and Moldova, another step in the nations' long journey to move closer to the West and mute Russia's influence. Belgium, which currently holds the presidency of the EU, said...
EU criticizes France for excessive debt, putting pressure on Macron during election campaign
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union's executive arm on Wednesday criticized France for running up excessive debt, a stinging rebuke at the height of an election campaign where President Emmanuel Macron is facing a strong challenge from the extreme right and the left. The EU...
