European Union

Jose Manuel Barroso: "This is the beginning of a process"

Jose Manuel Barroso: "This is the beginning of a process"Washington - EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso Saturday praised the outcome of the emergency world finance summit called to shore up the deteriorating world economy.

"I can really say that this was a historic summit," he told journalists after the gathering of the G20 leaders called by US President George W Bush had disbanded.

"I am very, very happy," he said.

Barroso added that no one had expected a "miracle solution."

Sarkozy lauds European unity on finance emergency: historic agreement

Sarkozy lauds European unity on finance emergency: historic agreementWashington - French President Nicolas Sarkozy, current president of the European Union, Saturday praised European unity at the emergency financial summit in Washington.

"Europe stands together unified as if one person," Sarkozy told reporters in French. There were "absolutely no problems."

He called the adoption by the G20 of financial principles and commitment to tighter regulations in the future a "historic agreement" to reform the world finance system.

Georgia, missiles and money dominate EU-Russia talks

Nice, France - A row over US and Russian plans to site missiles in Europe, the global financial crisis and European Union diplomacy in Georgia topped the agenda Friday when EU and Russian leaders met in the French resort of Nice.

"There should be no (missile) deployment in any enclave until we have discussed the new geo-political terms for pan-European security ... until then, please let's not talk about the deployment of missile shields," French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in a double-barrelled blast at Russia and the US.

Sarkozy currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU.

EU to get tough on dishonest fishermen as fish stocks dwindle

EU to get tough on dishonest fishermen as fish stocks dwindleBrussels - The European Commission on Friday moved to stiffen controls and penalties on fishermen who exceed their country's fishing quotas amid depleting stocks.

According to a new regulation put forward by the European Union's executive, member states that fail to crack down on over-fishing could see a suspension or reduction of funds they receive from Brussels.

And guilty fishermen could face fines of up to 300,000 euros (375,000 dollars).

Can Europe solve the US-Russia missile row?

Nice, France - If the United States and Russia cannot solve the row over their respective plans to site missiles in Europe and agree a new security treaty, Europe should do it for them.

That, at least, was the message French President Nicolas Sarkozy gave on Friday in his capacity as current holder of the European Union's rotating presidency.

"There should be no deployment in any enclave until we have discussed the new geo-political terms for pan-European security ... until then, please let's not talk about the deployment of missile shields, which don't bring security and which complicate things," Sarkozy said in a double-barrelled blast at Russia and the US.

Can Europe solve the US-Russia missile row?

Can Europe solve the US-Russia missile row?Nice, France - If the United States and Russia cannot solve the row over their respective plans to site missiles in Europe and agree a new security treaty, Europe should do it for them.

That, at least, was the message French President Nicolas Sarkozy gave on Friday in his capacity as current holder of the European Union's rotating presidency.

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