http://www.newsvine.com/european-unionNewsvine - european-unionen-usCopyright 2013Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:54:58 +0000Sat, 25 May 2013 06:13:36 +0000http://www.newsvine.comhttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/16/17772578-eu-foreign-policy-chief-warns-albania-on-electionhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/16/17772578-eu-foreign-policy-chief-warns-albania-on-electioneuelectionsalbaniaunited-stateseuropean-unionworld-newsTue, 16 Apr 2013 06:51:52 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>EU Foreign Policy chief Catherine Ashton speaks at a news conference in Tirana, Tuesday April 16, 2013 saying that the Brussels considered Albaniaís June parliamentary elections as a test for the functioning of its democratic institutions and the progress toward the bloc. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) </p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/15/17758806-eu-clears-226bn-cable-operator-pay-tv-takeoverhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/15/17758806-eu-clears-226bn-cable-operator-pay-tv-takeovereutakeovereuropean-unionworld-newsliberty-globalvirgin-mediaMon, 15 Apr 2013 10:12:36 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/12/17716492-ecbs-draghi-urges-speedy-banking-unionhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/12/17716492-ecbs-draghi-urges-speedy-banking-unionfinancialeuropecrisiseuropean-unioneuropean-central-bankworld-newsmario-draghifinancial-crisisFri, 12 Apr 2013 08:32:55 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>Olli Rehn, European Commissioner for Economy and Monetary Affairs and the Euro speaks to reporters before the Informal meeting of ECOFIN Ministers in Dublin Castle, Ireland, Friday, April 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) </p><p>Germany's Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble, centre, looks on as Cyprus Finance Minister Harris Georgiades, left, talks with European Central Bank President Mario Draghi, right, before the Informal meeting of ECOFIN Ministers in Dublin Castle, Ireland, Friday, April 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) </p><p>France's Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici arrives for the Informal meeting of ECOFIN Ministers in Dublin Castle, Ireland, Friday, April 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) </p><p>Germany's Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble, left, looks on as Cyprus Finance Minister Harris Georgiades, centre, talks with European Central Bank President Mario Draghi, right, before the Informal meeting of ECOFIN Ministers in Dublin Castle, Ireland, Friday, April 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) </p><p>France's Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici arrives for the Informal meeting of ECOFIN Ministers in Dublin Castle, Ireland, Friday, April 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) </p><p>Olli Rehn, left, European Commissioner for Economy and Monetary Affairs and the Euro, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Eurogroup Chair and Mario Draghi, President Central Bank, right, speak to the media during a break at the Informal meeting of ECOFIN Ministers in Dublin Castle, Ireland, Friday, April 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) </p><p>Speaking during a press conference, from left, Olli Rehn European European Commissioner for Economy and Monetary Affairs and the Euro, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, Eurogroup Chair, Mario Draghi, European Central Bank President and Klas Regling, Managing Director European Stability Mechanism/EFSF during a break at the Informal meeting of ECOFIN Ministers in Dublin Castle, Ireland, Friday, April 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) </p><p>Germany's Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble, left, and Germany's Central Bank Governor Dr. Jens Weidmann talk during the Informal Meeting of ECOFIN Ministers in Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, April 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)</p><p>Austria's Finance Minister Maria Fekter, right, speaks with Austria's Director of Central Bank Ewald Nowotny during the Informal meeting of ECOFIN Ministers in Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, April 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) </p><p>Spain's Finance Minister Luis de Guindos speaks to the media before the Informal Meeting of ECOFIN Ministers in Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, April 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)</p><p>Austria's Finance Minister Maria Fekter speaks to the media before the Informal meeting of ECOFIN Ministers in Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, April 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) </p><p>Sweden's Finance Minister Anders Borg, left, speaks to Germany's Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble before the Informal Meeting of ECOFIN Ministers in Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, April 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)</p><p>Romania's Non Eurogroup Finance Minister Liviu Voinea, center, arrives with other ministers for the Informal Meeting of ECOFIN Ministers in Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, April 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)</p><p>Charles Bean, Britain's Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, waits for the start of the Informal Meeting of ECOFIN Ministers in Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, April 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)</p><p>European Central Bank President Mario Draghi listens to questions during a session of "Room for Discussion" at the Faculty of Economics of the UvA, or University of Amsterdam, Netherlands, Monday April 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/11/17706132-eu-mission-trains-troops-in-malihttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/11/17706132-eu-mission-trains-troops-in-malieutrainingeuropean-unionwest-africanworld-newsmaliafThu, 11 Apr 2013 16:02:17 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>In this photo taken Monday, April 8, 2013, Malian soldiers practice shooting techniques, during a European Union training session in the village of Koulikoro, 60 kilometers (37 miles) outside Bamako, Mali. In preparation for the final pullout of French troops from Mali, a European Union team has started training Malian soldiers for battle against jihadists who overran much of this west African country before they were pushed back by a French military intervention. (AP Photo/Baba Ahmed)</p><p>In this photo taken Monday, April 8, 2013, a Swedish instructor watches as Malian soldiers practice arming their weapons, during a European Union training session in the village of Koulikoro, 60 kilometers (37 miles) outside Bamako, Mali. In preparation for the final pullout of French troops from Mali, a European Union team has started training Malian soldiers for battle against jihadists who overran much of this west African country before they were pushed back by a French military intervention. (AP Photo/Baba Ahmed)</p><p>In this photo taken Monday, April 8, 2013, a Swedish instructor explains the steps for firing a weapon, during a European Union training session in the village of Koulikoro, 60 kilometers (37 miles) outside Bamako, Mali. In preparation for the final pullout of French troops from Mali, a European Union team has started training Malian soldiers for battle against jihadists who overran much of this west African country before they were pushed back by a French military intervention. (AP Photo/Baba Ahmed)</p><p>In this photo taken Monday, April 8, 2013, a Swedish instructor looks on as Malian soldiers practice shooting techniques, during a European Union training session in the village of Koulikoro, 60 kilometers (37 miles) outside Bamako, Mali. In preparation for the final pullout of French troops from Mali, a European Union team has started training Malian soldiers for battle against jihadists who overran much of this west African country before they were pushed back by a French military intervention. (AP Photo/Baba Ahmed)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/10/17704290-india-and-germany-see-progress-in-trade-dealhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/10/17704290-india-and-germany-see-progress-in-trade-dealbusinesseugermanyindiaeuropean-unionThu, 11 Apr 2013 00:55:58 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, and the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, left, address the media during a press conference as part of a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, April 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)</p><p>The Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, speaks during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, unseen, as part of a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, April 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)</p><p>German Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses the media during a joint press conference with the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, unseen, as part of a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, April 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)</p><p>The Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, wears a headphone as he attends a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, unseen, as part of a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, April 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)</p><p>German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, and the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, left chat at the beginning of governmental talks at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, June 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)</p><p>German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, welcomes the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, right, with military honors at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, April 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/10/17690949-cyprus-president-admonishes-central-bank-chiefhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/10/17690949-cyprus-president-admonishes-central-bank-chiefeufinancialcrisiseuropean-unionworld-newscyprusfinancial-crisiscyprus-financialWed, 10 Apr 2013 18:32:05 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>An elderly man passes an empty closed shop with a sign reading in Greek " To rent" in central Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, April 9, 2013. Last month, Cyprus agreed that bondholders, investors and savers with more than 100,000 euros in the country's two largest — and most troubled — banks will take significant losses in exchange for a 10 billion euro ($13 billion) rescue package. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)</p><p>Employees of Cypriot Banks shout slogans during an anti-bailout protest outside of the Cyprus parliament in the capital Nicosia, Thursday, April 4, 2013. Bank employees in Cyprus walked off the job for two hours and marched toward parliament to protest against looming job and benefit cuts being taken as part of an international bailout. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)</p><p>A worker on a ladder works for a branch of Greek bank Emporiki in central capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, April 12, 2013. President Nicos Anastasiades said that he will dispatch letters to EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barosso and EU Council chief Herman Van Rompuy telling them of the “need for a change of EU policy” toward Cyprus by offering additional assistance. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)</p><p>A man leaves the the ATM machines of a branch of bank of Cyprus in central capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, April 12, 2013. President Nicos Anastasiades said that he will dispatch letters to EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barosso and EU Council chief Herman Van Rompuy telling them of the “need for a change of EU policy” toward Cyprus by offering additional assistance. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)</p><p>Two women with their child walk outside of an empty closed shop at a main shopping street in central capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, April 12, 2013. President Nicos Anastasiades said that he will dispatch letters to EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barosso and EU Council chief Herman Van Rompuy telling them of the “need for a change of EU policy” toward Cyprus by offering additional assistance. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)</p><p>A man, left, sit at a bench as behind two other men use the ATM machines of a branch of bank of Cyprus in central capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, April 12, 2013. President Nicos Anastasiades said that he will dispatch letters to EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barosso and EU Council chief Herman Van Rompuy telling them of the “need for a change of EU policy” toward Cyprus by offering additional assistance. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)</p><p>People wait and use the ATM machines of a branch of Laiki bank in central capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, April 12, 2013. President Nicos Anastasiades said that he will dispatch letters to EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barosso and EU Council chief Herman Van Rompuy telling them of the “need for a change of EU policy” toward Cyprus by offering additional assistance. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)</p><p>Women take photos of each other outside a closed shop with a sign reading in Greek " For rent" at a main shopping street in central capital Nicosia, Sunday, April 14, 2013. Cyprus' President Nicos Anastasiades has chided the central bank chief to not act in ways that "catch the government by surprise," but to move to stabilize the country's troubled banking sector. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)</p><p>A woman passes outside a branch of Bank of Cyprus in the main shopping street in central capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, April 14, 2013. Cyprus' President Nicos Anastasiades has chided the central bank chief to not act in ways that "catch the government by surprise," but to move to stabilize the country's troubled banking sector. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)</p><p>A woman on a bicycle passes a branch of the Bank of Cyprus while a shop window is reflected in the main shopping street in central capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, April 14, 2013. Cyprus' President Nicos Anastasiades has chided the central bank chief to not act in ways that "catch the government by surprise," but to move to stabilize the country's troubled banking sector. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/10/17688133-eu-test-show-no-safety-issues-with-horsemeathttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/10/17688133-eu-test-show-no-safety-issues-with-horsemeateuropehealthmeateuropean-unionworld-newshorse-meatWed, 10 Apr 2013 14:12:51 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/09/17669229-eu-antitrust-body-probes-mastercard-feeshttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/09/17669229-eu-antitrust-body-probes-mastercard-feeseuropeprobeeuropean-unionmastercardworld-newsantritrustTue, 9 Apr 2013 11:12:10 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/09/17666891-google-clears-another-step-in-eu-antitrust-casehttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/09/17666891-google-clears-another-step-in-eu-antitrust-casegoogletechnologyeuropeeuropean-unionworld-newseurope-googleTue, 9 Apr 2013 08:08:49 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2010 file photo, the Google logo is displayed outside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. Google executives and Texas Gov. Rick Perry are expected Tuesday, April 9, 2013 to name tech-savvy Austin as the second city where the search giant will offer its ultra-fast home Internet service. Last summer, Kansas City became the first metro area in the U.S. to receive Google Fiber. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/07/17638793-incumbent-declared-winner-in-montenegro-electionhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/07/17638793-incumbent-declared-winner-in-montenegro-electioneuelectioneuropean-unionworld-newsmontenegrofilip-vujanovicincumbent-filip-vujanovicserb-led-yugoslaviaSun, 7 Apr 2013 09:14:17 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>Presidential candidate and Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic casts his ballot at the polling station in Podgorica, Montenegro, Sunday, April 7, 2013. Voters in Montenegro on Sunday are choosing a president between the government-backed incumbent and an opposition leader who has demanded that NATO apologize for the 1999 bombing of the country while it was still part of Serb-led Yugoslavia. The presidential election is viewed as a popularity test for Montenegro's governing coalition which has ruled the tiny Balkan nation for more than two decades. Vujanovic, who is seeking his second term since Montenegro gained independence in 2006, is a strong advocate of Montenegro's integration into the European Union and NATO, and has been leading in the polls. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)</p><p>An elderly woman casts her ballot at the polling station in Podgorica, Montenegro, Sunday, April 7, 2013. Voters in Montenegro on Sunday are choosing a president between the government-backed incumbent and an opposition leader who has demanded that NATO apologize for the 1999 bombing of the country while it was still part of Serb-led Yugoslavia. The presidential election is viewed as a popularity test for Montenegro's governing coalition which has ruled the tiny Balkan nation for more than two decades. President Filip Vujanovic, who is seeking his second term since Montenegro gained independence in 2006, is a strong advocate of Montenegro's integration into the European Union and NATO, and has been leading in the polls. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)</p><p>Presidential candidate and Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic talks to the media after voting at the polling station in Podgorica, Montenegro, Sunday, April 7, 2013. Voters in Montenegro on Sunday are choosing a president between the government-backed incumbent and an opposition leader who has demanded that NATO apologize for the 1999 bombing of the country while it was still part of Serb-led Yugoslavia. The presidential election is viewed as a popularity test for Montenegro's governing coalition which has ruled the tiny Balkan nation for more than two decades. Vujanovic, who is seeking his second term since Montenegro gained independence in 2006, is a strong advocate of Montenegro's integration into the European Union and NATO, and has been leading in the polls. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)</p><p>Presidential candidate Miodrag Lekic addresses his supporters after his headquarters claimed victory in Podgorica, Montenegro, Sunday, April 7, 2013. Both the incumbent and the opposition candidate claimed victory in Montenegro's presidential election on Sunday, fueling political tensions in the small Balkan country which is striving for European Union membership. State election authorities had yet to release any official results in the race for the largely ceremonial post. President Filip Vujanovic, from the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists, said that based on his camp's own, full count of the votes, he had won 51.3 percent of ballots, while opponent Lekic won 48.7 percent. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/07/17638535-ukraine-president-pardons-2-tymoshenko-allieshttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/07/17638535-ukraine-president-pardons-2-tymoshenko-allieseuukraineoppositioneuropean-unionworld-newsyulia-tymoshenkoSun, 7 Apr 2013 08:39:52 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>FILE - This May 27, 2011, file photo shows former Ukrainian Interior Affair Minister Yuri Lutsenko in a detention cage in a courtroom, Kiev, Ukraine. Ukraine's president on Sunday April 7 2013 pardoned Lutsenko, 48, a close ally of imprisoned former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, moving toward fulfilling a key demand on Kiev's path to integrate closer with the European Union. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov, File)</p><p>FILE - This Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011 file photo shows former Ukrainian Interior Affair Minister Yuri Lutsenko in a detention cage in a courtroom, Kiev, Ukraine. Ukraine's president on Sunday April 7 2013 pardoned Lutsenko, 48, a close ally of imprisoned former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, moving toward fulfilling a key demand on Kiev's path to integrate closer with the European Union. (AP Photo, File)</p><p>FILE - This May 12, 2009 file photo shows former Ukrainian Interior Minister Yuri Lutsenko during a news conference in Kiev, Ukraine. On Sunday April 7 2013, Ukraine's president on Sunday pardoned Lutsenko, 48, a close ally of imprisoned former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, moving toward fulfilling a key demand on Kiev's path to integrate closer with the European Union. (AP Photo, File)</p><p>Supporter of the Ukrainian Opposition party holds a poster with a picture of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko during a rally in central Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, April 7, 2013. Ukraine's president on Sunday pardoned former Ukrainian Interior Affair Minister Yuri Lutsenko, 48, a close ally of imprisoned former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, moving toward fulfilling a key demand on Kiev's path to integrate closer with the European Union. The poster showing Tymoshenko and reads: Fredom for Yulia. (AP Photo/ Efrem Lukatsky)</p><p>Supporters of the Ukrainian Opposition party reacts during a rally in central Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, April 7, 2013. Ukraine's president on Sunday pardoned former Ukrainian Interior Affair Minister Yuri Lutsenko, 48, a close ally of imprisoned former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, moving toward fulfilling a key demand on Kiev's path to integrate closer with the European Union. (AP Photo/ Efrem Lukatsky)</p><p>Supporters of the Ukrainian Opposition party holds a poster with a picture of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko,right, and former Ukrainian Interior Affairs Minister Yuri Lutsenko,left, during a rally in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, April 7, 2013. Ukraine's president on Sunday pardoned Lutsenko, 48, a close ally of imprisoned former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, moving toward fulfilling a key demand on Kiev's path to integrate closer with the European Union. The poster showing Tymoshenko and Lutsenko reads: ' Get up Ukraine '(AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/07/17637431-financial-hub-luxembourg-under-increased-scrutinyhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/07/17637431-financial-hub-luxembourg-under-increased-scrutinyeuluxembourgundereuropean-unionworld-newsscrutinySun, 7 Apr 2013 06:25:30 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/05/17616292-eu-clears-random-house-penguin-merger-dealhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/05/17616292-eu-clears-random-house-penguin-merger-dealbusinesseueuropean-unionrandom-houseworld-newspenguinFri, 5 Apr 2013 14:16:16 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/04/17597893-eu-warns-of-imbalances-in-spain-sloveniahttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/04/17597893-eu-warns-of-imbalances-in-spain-sloveniabusinessfinancialeuropecrisiseuropean-unioneuropean-commissionworld-newsjacob-lewThu, 4 Apr 2013 11:42:08 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso speaks during a press conference at the federal chancellery in Vienna, Austria, Thursday, April 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)</p><p>U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, right, is greeted by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso during a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels on Monday, April 8, 2013. U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew is starting a series of meetings with key European Union leaders during his first official visit to the region. Lew is expected to urge the European officials to promote more growth-friendly policies to counter the debt crisis that has for three years engulfed the 27-nation bloc, which together forms the world's largest economy. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)</p><p>U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, right, and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso meet at EU headquarters in Brussels on Monday, April 8, 2013. U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew is starting a series of meetings with key European Union leaders during his first official visit to the region. Lew is expected to urge the European officials to promote more growth-friendly policies to counter the debt crisis that has for three years engulfed the 27-nation bloc, which together forms the world's largest economy. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)</p><p>U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, left, speaks with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso during a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels on Monday, April 8, 2013. U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew is starting a series of meetings with key European Union leaders during his first official visit to the region. Lew is expected to urge the European officials to promote more growth-friendly policies to counter the debt crisis that has for three years engulfed the 27-nation bloc, which together forms the world's largest economy. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)</p><p>U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew smiles at journalists prior to a meeting with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, not shown, at EU headquarters in Brussels on Monday, April 8, 2013. U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew is starting a series of meetings with key European Union leaders during his first official visit to the region. Lew is expected to urge the European officials to promote more growth-friendly policies to counter the debt crisis that has for three years engulfed the 27-nation bloc, which together forms the world's largest economy. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, Pool)</p><p>U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, left, shakes hands with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy at EU headquarters in Brussels on Monday, April 8, 2013. U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew is starting a series of meetings with key European Union leaders during his first official visit to the region. Lew is expected to urge the European officials to promote more growth-friendly policies to counter the debt crisis that has for three years engulfed the 27-nation bloc, which together forms the world's largest economy. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, Pool)</p><p>European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Olli Rehn speaks during a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, April 10, 2013. The European Commission is warning that Spain and Slovenia face "excessive" problems balancing their economies. In a health-check of the economies of 13 European Union countries, the Commission said Wednesday that "high domestic and external debt levels continue to pose serious risks for growth and financial stability" in Spain. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)</p><p>European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Olli Rehn listens to questions during a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, April 10, 2013. The European Commission is warning that Spain and Slovenia face "excessive" problems balancing their economies. In a health-check of the economies of 13 European Union countries, the Commission said Wednesday that "high domestic and external debt levels continue to pose serious risks for growth and financial stability" in Spain. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)</p><p>European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Olli Rehn speaks during a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, April 10, 2013. The European Commission is warning that Spain and Slovenia face "excessive" problems balancing their economies. In a health-check of the economies of 13 European Union countries, the Commission said Wednesday that "high domestic and external debt levels continue to pose serious risks for growth and financial stability" in Spain. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)</p><p>European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Olli Rehn speaks during a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, April 10, 2013. The European Commission is warning that Spain and Slovenia face "excessive" problems balancing their economies. In a health-check of the economies of 13 European Union countries, the Commission said Wednesday that "high domestic and external debt levels continue to pose serious risks for growth and financial stability" in Spain. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/03/17586966-eu-flag-flies-over-prague-castle-not-all-happyhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/03/17586966-eu-flag-flies-over-prague-castle-not-all-happyeuczechflageuropean-unionworld-newsWed, 3 Apr 2013 17:08:18 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, right, and Czech Republic's President Milos Zeman, left, attend a European Union flag raising ceremony at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday, April 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)</p><p>European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, left, and Czech Republic's President Milos Zeman, 2nd left, attend a European Union flag raising ceremony at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday, April 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)</p><p>European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, left, looks on as Czech Republic's President Milos Zeman, right, signs the European Union bailout fund at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday, April 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)</p><p>European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, left, and Czech Republic's President Milos Zeman, right, answer questions to media during a press conference at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday, April 3, 2013. Milos Zeman signed the European Union bailout fund prior the press conference. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/03/17585207-serbia-rejects-eu-brokered-kosovo-dealhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/03/17585207-serbia-rejects-eu-brokered-kosovo-dealeuserbiakosovoeuropean-unionworld-newskosovo-albaniankosovo-albaniansserbia-kosovoserbian-orthodox-churcheuropean-union-brokeredeuropean-union-mediatedsenior-serbianWed, 3 Apr 2013 14:16:35 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic addresses the media at the end of a meeting, at the European External Action Service( EEAS) office in Brussels, Wednesday, April 3, 2013. EU-mediated talks between the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo have broken up without a deal, the Serbian prime minister said early Wednesday. The talks, which took place in Brussels, were an attempt to resolve one of the most difficult issues dividing the two sides, the status of Serb-dominated northern Kosovo, an EU official said.(AP Photo/Yves Logghe)</p><p>Serbia's President Tomislav Nikolic speaks during a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, April 1, 2013. Nikolic said: "What Pristina wants, and that is independence, will never be possible without Serbia" and "There will never again be a military solution for the problems in the Balkans." Serbia has until now insisted on a high level of self-rule for the Kosovo Serbs, including their own police, judicial authorities and self-government. But this has been rejected by Kosovo Albanians as a de-facto partition of Kosovo, which enjoys the backing of the United States and most European Union countries. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)</p><p>Protesters carry an icon and Serbian flags during the protest of Serbian nationalist organization Obraz (Honour) in front of the Government building in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, April 8, 2013. Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic says his government will reject an EU-brokered deal for Kosovo and will ask for more negotiations with ethnic Albanian leaders. The EU has given Serbia until Tuesday to say whether it would relinquish its control of northern Kosovo in exchange for the start of Serbia's EU membership negotiations. Serbia's government says it will give the answer later Monday. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)</p><p>A protester holds a banner reading: "We don't give it away!" during the protest of Serbian nationalist organization Obraz (Honour) in front of the Government building in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, April 8, 2013. Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic says his government will reject an EU-brokered deal for Kosovo and will ask for more negotiations with ethnic Albanian leaders. The EU has given Serbia until Tuesday to say whether it would relinquish its control of northern Kosovo in exchange for the start of Serbia's EU membership negotiations. Serbia's government says it will give the answer later Monday. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)</p><p>Protesters wave Serbian flags during the protest of Serbian nationalist organization Obraz (Honour) in front of the Government building in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, April 8, 2013. Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic says his government will reject an EU-brokered deal for Kosovo and will ask for more negotiations with ethnic Albanian leaders. The EU has given Serbia until Tuesday to say whether it would relinquish its control of northern Kosovo in exchange for the start of Serbia's EU membership negotiations. Serbia's government says it will give the answer later Monday. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)</p><p>Protesters wave Serbian flags during the protest of Serbian nationalist organization Obraz (Honour) in front of the Government building in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, April 8, 2013. Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic says his government will reject an EU-brokered deal for Kosovo and will ask for more negotiations with ethnic Albanian leaders. The EU has given Serbia until Tuesday to say whether it would relinquish its control of northern Kosovo in exchange for the start of Serbia's EU membership negotiations. Serbia's government says it will give the answer later Monday. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)</p><p>A protester holds a banner against EU, reading: "NATO killers" during the protest of Serbian nationalist organization Obraz (Honour) in front of the Government building in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, April 8, 2013. Serbia has rejected a European Union-brokered deal for reconciliation with its former province of Kosovo and called for more negotiations with Kosovo Albanian leaders. The EU has given Serbia until Tuesday to say whether it would relinquish its effective control over northern Kosovo in exchange for the start of Serbia's EU membership negotiations. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)</p><p>Serbian Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic addresses during the government session in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, April 8, 2013. Serbia has rejected a European Union-brokered deal for reconciliation with its former province of Kosovo and called for more negotiations with Kosovo Albanian leaders. The EU has given Serbia until Tuesday to say whether it would relinquish its effective control over northern Kosovo in exchange for the start of Serbia's EU membership negotiations. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)</p><p>Protesters carrying a banner that reads: "Serbia before everything" during the protest in front of the presidency building in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, April 8, 2013. Serbia has rejected a European Union-brokered deal for reconciliation with its former province of Kosovo and called for more negotiations with Kosovo Albanian leaders. The EU has given Serbia until Tuesday to say whether it would relinquish its effective control over northern Kosovo in exchange for the start of Serbia's EU membership negotiations. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/02/17565289-serbia-kosovo-talks-fail-to-reach-accordhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/02/17565289-serbia-kosovo-talks-fail-to-reach-accordeuserbiakosovoeuropean-unionworld-newsmarathon-eu-mediatedTue, 2 Apr 2013 09:06:20 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>In this photo taken Friday, March 29, 2013, a general view of the ethnically divided town of Mitrovica, Kosovo. Mitrovica, a former mining center in northern Kosovo, was sharply split into Serb and Albanian parts at the end of the Kosovo war in 1999. The town’s fate has come into renewed focus as officials from Serbia and Kosovo meet in Brussels on Tuesday in hopes of reaching an agreement that could pave the way for reuniting the divided city. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)</p><p>Italian Carabinieri and French Gendarmerie vehicles are stationed on the main bridge that separates the ethnically divided northern Kosovo town of Mitrovica, Tuesday, April 2, 2013. The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo are negotiating Tuesday on one of the most important issues dividing them, as Serbia strains to meet conditions for eventual membership in the European Union. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)</p><p>A Kosovo Albanian man rides his bicycle across a makeshift bridge that separates the ethnically divided northern Kosovo town of Mitrovica, Tuesday, April 2, 2013. The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo are negotiating Tuesday on one of the most important issues dividing them, as Serbia strains to meet conditions for eventual membership in the European Union. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)</p><p>An Italian Carabinieri officer stands guard on the main bridge that separates the ethnically divided northern Kosovo town of Mitrovica, Tuesday, April 2, 2013. The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo are negotiating Tuesday on one of the most important issues dividing them, as Serbia strains to meet conditions for eventual membership in the European Union. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)</p><p>A Kosovo Albanian man passes by Italian Carabinieri stationed on the main bridge that separates the ethnically divided northern Kosovo town of Mitrovica, Tuesday, April 2, 2013. The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo are negotiating Tuesday on one of the most important issues dividing them, as Serbia strains to meet conditions for eventual membership in the European Union. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/02/17565211-eurozone-inflation-down-for-third-month-runninghttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/04/02/17565211-eurozone-inflation-down-for-third-month-runningbusinesseconomyeuropeeuropean-unionworld-newsTue, 2 Apr 2013 09:00:49 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>People are seen on the Venice Wall that surrounds the old city, gathering during a Cyprus Aid concert in capital Nicosia, Monday, April 1, 2013. Thousands of people attended a charity concert in Nicosia on Monday designed to help the needy at a time of 15 percent unemployment. Some 50 Greek and Cypriot artists were to perform at theevent at the moat beneath the medieval walls surrounding the old part of the capital. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)</p><p>People wait outside an unemployment office in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, April 2, 2013. Spanish government figures show that the number of people registered as unemployed edged down by a little under 5,000 in March, the first reduction for the month in five years. The scale of the task remains huge though as the number registered as unemployed stands at 5.04 million. Spain is battling to emerge from its second recession in just over three years. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)</p><p>Unemployed people gather on a street and hold a banner reading, ''More unemployment. Less protection. Poverty. Exclusion'' while a woman shelters by the rain in Pamplona northern Spain on Tuesday, April 2, 2013. Spanish government figures show that the number of people registered as unemployed edged down by a little under 5,000 in March, the first reduction for the month in five years. The scale of the task remains huge though as the number registered as unemployed stands at 5.04 million. Spain is battling to emerge from its second recession in just over three years. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/27/17486996-eu-seeks-extra-funding-of-14-billion-for-2013http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/27/17486996-eu-seeks-extra-funding-of-14-billion-for-2013europebudgeteuropean-unionworld-newsWed, 27 Mar 2013 15:15:47 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso leaves after an emergency eurogroup meeting in Brussels on Monday, March 25, 2013. After failing for a week to find a solution at home to a crisis that could force it into bankruptcy, Cypriot politicians were turning to the European Union on Sunday in a last-ditch effort to help the island nation forge a viable plan to secure an international bailout. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/26/17470265-eu-extends-credit-default-swaps-antitrust-probehttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/26/17470265-eu-extends-credit-default-swaps-antitrust-probebusinesseuprobeeuropean-unionswapsdefaultcredit-default-swapsTue, 26 Mar 2013 11:07:14 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/26/17469164-asian-giants-tiptoe-toward-free-trade-dealhttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/26/17469164-asian-giants-tiptoe-toward-free-trade-dealbusinessasiatradesouth-koreanorth-americaeuropean-unionfree-tradeworld-newsasTue, 26 Mar 2013 09:49:16 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>South Korean farmers shout slogans against the Free Trade Agreement between South Korea, Japan, and China during a rally denouncing the FTA talks in front of the venue where the discussions are being held, in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. Negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between the three countries will be held from March 26 - 28. The writing reads "Stop, FTA between South Korea, China and Japan." (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)</p><p>South Korean farmers smash boxes symbolizing the Free Trade Agreement between South Korea, Japan, and China during a rally denouncing the FTA talks in front of the venue where the discussions are being held, in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. Negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between the three countries will be held from March 26 - 28. The writing reads "Stop, FTA between South Korea, China and Japan." (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)</p><p>South Korea, Japan and China's negotiators attend their first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. Senior officials of three Asian countries attend the first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which starts here from March 26 to 28. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)</p><p>South Korean chief negotiator Choi Kyong-lim, center, his Japanese counterpart Koji Tsuruoka, right, and Chinese counterpart Yu Jianhua, left, arrive their talks in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. Senior officials of three countries met at the first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which starts here from March 26 to 28. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)</p><p>South Korean chief negotiator Choi Kyong-lim, center, his Japanese counterpart Koji Tsuruoka, right, and Chinese counterpart Yu Jianhua, left, hold hands each other at a photo call before their talks in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. Senior officials of three countries met at the first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which starts here from March 26 to 28. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)</p><p>South Korean chief negotiator Choi Kyong-lim, center, poses with his Japanese counterpart Koji Tsuruoka, right, and Chinese counterpart Yu Jianhua, left, before their talks in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. Senior officials of three countries met at the first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which starts here from March 26 to 28. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/25/17455692-a-look-at-the-eurozones-5-bailoutshttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/25/17455692-a-look-at-the-eurozones-5-bailoutseuropean-unionworld-newseurozonebailoutsMon, 25 Mar 2013 13:38:36 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>From left, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde, Dutch Finance Minister and chief of the eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem and EU Commissioner for Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn participate in a media conference after an emergency eurogroup meeting in Brussels on Monday, March 25, 2013. After failing for a week to find a solution at home to a crisis that could force it into bankruptcy, Cypriot politicians were turning to the European Union on Sunday in a last-ditch effort to help the island nation forge a viable plan to secure an international bailout. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/22/17422351-japan-eu-agree-to-start-free-trade-negotiationshttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/22/17422351-japan-eu-agree-to-start-free-trade-negotiationseujapaneuropean-unionworld-newsasjapan-eujapan-european-unionSat, 23 Mar 2013 03:36:46 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht smiles before meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida at Foreign Ministry in Tokyo, Monday, March 25, 2013. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will discuss a possible free trade pact with the European Union even as a summit in Tokyo to launch the negotiations is postponed because of the financial crisis in Cyprus. De Gucht is in Tokyo and meeting with Japanese government and business officials as scheduled. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)</p><p>European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht speaks to Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida at Japan's Foreign Ministry in Tokyo, Monday, March 25, 2013. Japan's prime minister will discuss a possible free trade pact with the European Union even as a summit in Tokyo to launch the negotiations is postponed because of the financial crisis in Cyprus. De Gucht is in Tokyo and meeting with Japanese government and business officials as scheduled. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)</p><p>European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, right, is greeted by Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida at the start of their meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo, Monday, March 25, 2013. De Gucht is in Tokyo and meeting with Japanese government and business officials as scheduled. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)</p><p>European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, right, and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida pose for photographers prior to their meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo, Monday, March 25, 2013. De Gucht is in Tokyo and meeting with Japanese government and business officials as scheduled. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)</p><p>European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht listens to Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida speak at Japan's Foreign Ministry in Tokyo, Monday, March 25, 2013. Japan's prime minister will discuss a possible free trade pact with the European Union even as a summit in Tokyo to launch the negotiations is postponed because of the financial crisis in Cyprus. De Gucht is in Tokyo and meeting with Japanese government and business officials as scheduled. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)</p><p>European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht speaks during a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida at Japan's Foreign Ministry in Tokyo, Monday, March 25, 2013. Japan's prime minister will discuss a possible free trade pact with the European Union even as a summit in Tokyo to launch the negotiations is postponed because of the financial crisis in Cyprus. De Gucht is in Tokyo and meeting with Japanese government and business officials as scheduled. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)</p> http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/22/17418974-eu-prosecutor-adds-charges-in-kosovo-organs-casehttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/22/17418974-eu-prosecutor-adds-charges-in-kosovo-organs-caseeukosovotraffickingeuropean-unionworld-newsorgan-traffickingFri, 22 Mar 2013 20:17:12 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/22/17415627-uk-france-press-eu-on-giving-arms-to-syria-rebelshttp://www.newsvine.com/_news/2013/03/22/17415627-uk-france-press-eu-on-giving-arms-to-syria-rebelseuropesyriaeuropean-unionworld-newsdublin-castleFri, 22 Mar 2013 13:55:47 +0000http://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/posthttp://activitystrea.ms/schema/1.0/generic_post<p>Germany's Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle speaks to the media on arrival for the European Informal Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs at Dublin Castle, Ireland, Friday, March 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)</p><p>France's Minister of the foreign affairs Laurent Fabius arrives for the European Informal Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs at Dublin Castle, Ireland, Friday, March 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)</p><p>United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary William Hague speaks to the media on arrival for the European Informal Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs at Dublin Castle, Ireland, Friday, March 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)</p>