Latest Ursula Von Der Leyen News
The EU's executive decides to end legal standoff with Poland over democracy concerns
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union's executive decided on Monday to end its 6-year dispute with member state Poland, saying Prime Minister Donald Tusk has initiated the necessary changes to reverse what the bloc called the previous government’s backsliding on democratic principles. ...
As China's Xi Jinping visits Europe, Ukraine, trade and investment are likely to top the agenda
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Ukraine, trade and investment are expected to dominate Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s first trip to Europe in five years, as the Asian giant rebuilds its foreign relations after a prolonged absence during the Covid-19 pandemic. Xi will start the tour in Paris...
EU announces 1 billion euros in aid for Lebanon amid a surge in irregular migration
BEIRUT (AP) — The European Union announced Thursday an aid package for Lebanon of 1 billion euros — about $1.06 billion — much of which will go to boost border control to halt the flow of asylum seekers and migrants from the small, crisis-wracked country across the Mediterranean Sea to Cyprus...
European Union official von der Leyen visits the Finland-Russia border to assess security situation
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The head of the European Union's executive branch said Friday that Finland's decision to close its border crossings with Russia over a surge in migrants is a security matter for the whole 27-member bloc to consider. European Commission President Ursula...
Romania and Bulgaria partially join Europe’s Schengen travel zone, but checks at land borders remain
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Romania and Bulgaria partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone on Sunday, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration with the European Union. After years of negotiations to join the Schengen area, there is now free access for...
The EU plans to fast-track some financial aid to Egypt. The usual funding safeguards will not apply
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union intends to fast-track some of its aid money to Egypt using an urgent funding procedure that bypasses parliamentary oversight and other safeguards, according to the president of the bloc’s executive branch. The 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion)...
The European Union announces an $8 billion aid package for Egypt as concerns mount over migration
CAIRO (AP) — The European Union on Sunday announced a 7.4 billion-euro ($8 billion) aid package for cash-strapped Egypt as concerns mount that economic pressure and conflicts in neighboring countries could drive more migrants to European shores. The deal, which drew criticism from...
As the rumble of tractor protests grows, the EU offers more environmental concessions to farmers
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s executive arm on Friday proposed weakening even more climate and environmental measures in the bloc's latest set of concessions to farmers apparently bent on continuing disruptive tractor protests until the June EU elections. Angering...
EU parliament opens a court case over the decision to release funds to Orban's government in Hungary
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union was embroiled in a legal standoff on Thursday between its legislature and its executive Commission over the release of billions in frozen funds to the government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at a time when his consent was essential for a deal to open...
European Union members should open talks with Bosnia on joining, the EU's executive branch says
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union's executive arm will recommend that member countries open membership negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday, despite lingering ethnic divisions in the Western Balkan country. ...
