European Union

European Union Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger delivers a speech during a press conference on 'Energy 2020' strategy on November 10, 2010 at the EU headquarters in Brussels. The European Commission unveiled its energy strategy for the next decade, calling for one trillion euros (1.38 trillion dollars) of investment to improve efficiency and reduce pollution. The European Union's executive called for measures to save energy, reduce household utility bills and secure supplies in a sustainable way across the 27-nation bloc.

European Union Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn speaks during a press conference at the EU Commission headquarter in Brussels on September 13, 2010. The economic recovery in the European Union has gained ground lately according to the EU Commission.

European Union Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn gestures while speaking during a press conference at the EU Commission headquarter in Brussels on September 13, 2010. The economic recovery in the European Union has gained ground lately according to the EU Commission.

European Union Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger delivers a speech during a press conference on 'Energy 2020' strategy on November 10, 2010 at the EU headquarters in Brussels. The European Commission unveiled its energy strategy for the next decade, calling for one trillion euros (1.38 trillion dollars) of investment to improve efficiency and reduce pollution. The European Union's executive called for measures to save energy, reduce household utility bills and secure supplies in a sustainable way across the 27-nation bloc.

European Union Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger delivers a speech during a press conference on 'Energy 2020' strategy on November 10, 2010 at the EU headquarters in Brussels. The European Commission unveiled its energy strategy for the next decade, calling for one trillion euros (1.38 trillion dollars) of investment to improve efficiency and reduce pollution. The European Union's executive called for measures to save energy, reduce household utility bills and secure supplies in a sustainable way across the 27-nation bloc.

European Union Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger delivers a speech during a press conference on 'Energy 2020' strategy on November 10, 2010 at the EU headquarters in Brussels. The European Commission unveiled its energy strategy for the next decade, calling for one trillion euros (1.38 trillion dollars) of investment to improve efficiency and reduce pollution. The European Union's executive called for measures to save energy, reduce household utility bills and secure supplies in a sustainable way across the 27-nation bloc.

European Union President Belgian Herman Van Rompuy (L) and Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (R) welcome Russian president Dmitry Medvedev (C) before an EU - RUSSIA summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels on December 7, 2010. Medvedev and European Union leaders hope to open the way for Moscow's entry into the WTO next year at a summit Tuesday, while giving fresh impetus to their warming ties.

European Union President Belgian Herman Van Rompuy (L) European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (R) look on during a press conference after the EU-INDIA summit on December 10, 2010 at the EU headquarters in Brussels. Noisy protestors in white medical coats demanded European Union support for India's cheap drugs at a key EU-India summit slated to help wrap up four years of stalled trade negotiations. The protest was staged as India faced off with its leading partner over what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described at the summit opening as 'painstaking negotiations' to strike a wide-ranging Free Trade Agreement.

European Union Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn speaks during a press conference at the EU Commission headquarter in Brussels on September 13, 2010. The economic recovery in the European Union has gained ground lately according to the EU Commission.

The European Union observer mission in Ivory Coast chief, Cristian Preda of Romania, speaks during a press conference on November 2, 2010 in Abidjan. The European Union observer mission in Ivory Coast charged the commission responsible for proclaiming the results of Sunday's presidential poll with denying observers access to its premises.

European Union Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Michel Barnier gives a press conference at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels on September 15, 2010. As part of its ongoing work in creating a sounder financial system, the European Commission has tabled this Wednesday a proposal for a regulation aimed at bringing more safety and more transparency to the over-the-counter derivatives market.

European Union Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Michel Barnier gives a press conference at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels on September 15, 2010. As part of its ongoing work in creating a sounder financial system, the European Commission has tabled this Wednesday a proposal for a regulation aimed at bringing more safety and more transparency to the over-the-counter derivatives market.

European Union Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Michel Barnier gives a press conference at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels on September 15, 2010. As part of its ongoing work in creating a sounder financial system, the European Commission has tabled this Wednesday a proposal for a regulation aimed at bringing more safety and more transparency to the over-the-counter derivatives market.

European Union Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Michel Barnier gives a press conference at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels on September 15, 2010. As part of its ongoing work in creating a sounder financial system, the European Commission has tabled this Wednesday a proposal for a regulation aimed at bringing more safety and more transparency to the over-the-counter derivatives market.

The European Union's foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton (R) and Pakistani Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi (L) give a press conference at the end of a meeting of 'Friends of Democratic Pakistan' on October 15, 2010 at the EU headquarters in Brussels. This Third council is expected to focus on the aftermath of the recent floods in Pakistan (humanitarian situation, reconstruction and rehabilitation) and recovery.

The European Union's foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton (R) and Pakistani Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi (L) give a press conference at the end of a meeting of 'Friends of Democratic Pakistan' on October 15, 2010 at the EU headquarters in Brussels. This Third council is expected to focus on the aftermath of the recent floods in Pakistan (humanitarian situation, reconstruction and rehabilitation) and recovery.

European Union President Belgian Herman Van Rompuy and Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski (not in the picture) give a press conference in a Macedonian government building in Skopje on October 19,2010. Van Rompuy is on a one day official visit in Macedonia.

European Union commssioner for Competition Joaquín Almunia speaks during a press conference on November 5, 2010 at the EU Headquarters in Brussels. The European Commission warned that the troubled German regional bank WestLB faced a growing risk of dismantlement as its restructuring plans remained insufficient.

European Union President Belgian Herman Van Rompuy (L) and Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (R) welcome Russian president Dmitry Medvedev (C) before an EU - RUSSIA summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels on December 7, 2010. The EU and Russia finalised a 'milestone' deal enabling Russia's accession to the WTO world trade body, probably next year, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.

European Union Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Michel Barnier gives a press conference at the EU Commission headquarter in Brussels on September 15, 2010. As part of its ongoing work in creating a sounder financial system, the European Commission has tabled on September 15 a proposal for a regulation aimed at bringing more safety and more transparency to the over-the-counter derivatives market.

European Union Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Michel Barnier gives a press conference at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels on September 15, 2010. As part of its ongoing work in creating a sounder financial system, the European Commission has tabled this Wednesday a proposal for a regulation aimed at bringing more safety and more transparency to the over-the-counter derivatives market.

European Union Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Michel Barnier gives a press conference at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels on September 15, 2010. As part of its ongoing work in creating a sounder financial system, the European Commission has tabled this Wednesday a proposal for a regulation aimed at bringing more safety and more transparency to the over-the-counter derivatives market.

European Union President Belgian Herman Van Rompuy (C) and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (R) welcome Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao (L) before an EU-China Summit meeting on October 6, 2010 at the EU headquarters in Brussels. China headed for a potentially fractious summit with top trading partner Europe Wednesday, facing calls for improved trade conditions, a revaluation of the yuan and progress on human rights. Premier Wen Jiabao rolls into the 13th EU-China summit amid a growing clamour led by the United States and Europe to appreciate a currency the West says is grossly 'undervalued' to promote cheap China exports.

The European Union's foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton (R) and Pakistani Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi (L) give a press conference at the end of a meeting of 'Friends of Democratic Pakistan' on October 15, 2010 at the EU headquarters in Brussels. This Third council is expected to focus on the aftermath of the recent floods in Pakistan (humanitarian situation, reconstruction and rehabilitation) and recovery.

European Union's Deputy Director General for Economic and Financial Affairs Servaas Deroose speaks during a press conference in Athens on November 23, 2010. EU and IMF auditors approved on Tuesday the payment of a third slice of rescue funds for Greece but said the debt-stricken country had to make an extra effort to merit a fourth in February.

European Union's Deputy Director General for Economic and Financial Affairs Servaas Deroose (C) and the expert from the International Monetary Fund, Poul Thomsen (L) arrive at a press conference in Athens on November 23, 2010. EU and IMF auditors approved on Tuesday the payment of a third slice of rescue funds for Greece but said the debt-stricken country had to make an extra effort to merit a fourth in February.

European Union commissioner for Competition Joaquín Almunia looks on during a press conference on November 5, 2010 at the EU Headquarters in Brussels. The European Commission warned that the troubled German regional bank WestLB faced a growing risk of dismantlement as its restructuring plans remained insufficient.

European Union President Belgian Herman Van Rompuy (L) and Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (R) welcome Russian president Dmitri Medvedev (C) before an EU - RUSSIA summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels on December 7, 2010. The EU and Russia finalised a 'milestone' deal enabling Russia's accession to the WTO world trade body, probably next year, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.

European Union President Belgian Herman Van Rompuy (L) and Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (R) welcome Russian president Dmitri Medvedev (C) before an EU - RUSSIA summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels on December 7, 2010. The EU and Russia finalised a 'milestone' deal enabling Russia's accession to the WTO world trade body, probably next year, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.

European Union President Belgian Herman Van Rompuy (L) and Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (R) welcome Russian president Dmitri Medvedev (C) before an EU - RUSSIA summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels on December 7, 2010. The EU and Russia finalised a 'milestone' deal enabling Russia's accession to the WTO world trade body, probably next year, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.

European Union President Belgian Herman Van Rompuy (C) and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (R) welcome Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao (L) before an EU-China Summit meeting on October 6, 2010 at the EU headquarters in Brussels. China headed for a potentially fractious summit with top trading partner Europe Wednesday, facing calls for improved trade conditions, a revaluation of the yuan and progress on human rights. Premier Wen Jiabao rolls into the 13th EU-China summit amid a growing clamour led by the United States and Europe to appreciate a currency the West says is grossly 'undervalued' to promote cheap China exports.

European Union President Belgian Herman Van Rompuy (R) and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (L) welcome Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao (unseen) before an EU - China Summit meeting on October 6, 2010 at the EU headquarters in Brussels.

European Union President Belgian Herman Van Rompuy (R) and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (L) welcome Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao (unseen) before an EU - China Summit meeting on October 6, 2010 at the EU headquarters in Brussels.

European Union President Belgian Herman Van Rompuy (R) and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (L) welcome Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao (unseen) before an EU - China Summit meeting on October 6, 2010 at the EU headquarters in Brussels.

European Union commssioner for Competition Joaquín Almunia speaks during a press conference on November 5, 2010 at the EU Headquarters in Brussels. The European Commission warned that the troubled German regional bank WestLB faced a growing risk of dismantlement as its restructuring plans remained insufficient.

European Union's Deputy Director General for Economic and Financial Affairs Servaas Deroose speaks during a press conference in Athens on November 23, 2010. EU and IMF auditors approved on Tuesday the payment of a third slice of rescue funds for Greece but said the debt-stricken country had to make an extra effort to merit a fourth in February.

European Union's Deputy Director General for Economic and Financial Affairs Servaas Deroose listens to a question during a press conference in Athens on November 23, 2010. EU and IMF auditors approved on Tuesday the payment of a third slice of rescue funds for Greece but said the debt-stricken country had to make an extra effort to merit a fourth in February.

European Union's Deputy Director General for Economic and Financial Affairs Servaas Deroose (R) and the expert from the International Monetary Fund, Poul Thomsen (L) wait prior to a press conference in Athens on November 23, 2010. EU and IMF auditors approved on Tuesday the payment of a third slice of rescue funds for Greece but said the debt-stricken country had to make an extra effort to merit a fourth in February.

European Union President Belgian Herman Van Rompuy (L) and Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (R) welcome Russian president Dmitri Medvedev (C) before an EU - RUSSIA summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels on December 7, 2010. The EU and Russia finalised a 'milestone' deal enabling Russia's accession to the WTO world trade body, probably next year, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (L) and British Foreign Secretary William Hague talk on December 13, 2010 before a Foreign Affairs Council meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels. EU foreign ministers are set to reaffirm the bloc's readiness to recognize a Palestinian state 'when appropriate,' diplomatic sources said. A draft statement to be put to the bloc's 27 foreign ministers for their assent later on December 13, also welcomes a recent World Bank assessment that the Palestinian Authority 'will be ready for statehood in the near future.'

European Union Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Michel Barnier gives a press conference at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels on September 15, 2010. As part of its ongoing work in creating a sounder financial system, the European Commission has tabled this Wednesday a proposal for a regulation aimed at bringing more safety and more transparency to the over-the-counter derivatives market.

European Union Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Michel Barnier gives a press conference at the EU Commission headquarter in Brussels on September 15, 2010. As part of its ongoing work in creating a sounder financial system, the European Commission has tabled today a proposal for a regulation aimed at bringing more safety and more transparency to the over-the-counter derivatives market.

European Union President Belgian Herman Van Rompuy welcomes Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao (L) before an EU-China Summit meeting on October 6, 2010 at the EU headquarters in Brussels. China headed for a potentially fractious summit with top trading partner Europe Wednesday, facing calls for improved trade conditions, a revaluation of the yuan and progress on human rights. Premier Wen Jiabao rolls into the 13th EU-China summit amid a growing clamour led by the United States and Europe to appreciate a currency the West says is grossly 'undervalued' to promote cheap China exports.

European Union commssioner for Competition Joaquín Almunia looks on during a press conference on November 5, 2010 at the EU Headquarters in Brussels. The European Commission warned that the troubled German regional bank WestLB faced a growing risk of dismantlement as its restructuring plans remained insufficient.

European Union's Deputy Director General for Economic and Financial Affairs Servaas Deroose speaks during a press conference in Athens on November 23, 2010. EU and IMF auditors approved on Tuesday the payment of a third slice of rescue funds for Greece but said the debt-stricken country had to make an extra effort to merit a fourth in February.

European Union's Deputy Director General for Economic and Financial Affairs Servaas Deroose (C) and the expert from the International Monetary Fund, Poul Thomsen (L) arrive at a press conference in Athens on November 23, 2010. EU and IMF auditors approved on Tuesday the payment of a third slice of rescue funds for Greece but said the debt-stricken country had to make an extra effort to merit a fourth in February.

European Union President Herman Van Rompuy delivers a speech after receiving the award of 'The necklace of European Merit'' (''Le Collier du merite europeen'') by the European Merit Foundation (Fondation du Merite Europeen), on November 25, 2010 at Campus Gesseknappchen in Luxembourg.

European Union's Deputy Director General for Economic and Financial Affairs Servaas Deroose shuts his eyes during a press conference given by Economics Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn and Greek Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou in Athens on December 9, 2010. EU finance ministers are ready to look favourably on extending the repayment period for Greece's 110-billion-euro bailout, Rehn said today. The possibility of the extension of the repayment of Greece's three-year loan, which had been scheduled to be repaid by 2015, was first mooted when the EU-IMF agreed last month an 85-billion-euro (113-billion-dollar) bailout for Ireland with a considerably longer repayment period.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (L) and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt talk on December 13, 2010 before a Foreign Affairs Council meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels. EU foreign ministers are set to reaffirm the bloc's readiness to recognize a Palestinian state 'when appropriate,' diplomatic sources said. A draft statement to be put to the bloc's 27 foreign ministers for their assent later on December 13, also welcomes a recent World Bank assessment that the Palestinian Authority 'will be ready for statehood in the near future.'

European Union Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Michel Barnier gives a press conference at the EU Commission headquarter in Brussels on September 15, 2010. As part of its ongoing work in creating a sounder financial system, the European Commission has tabled today a proposal for a regulation aimed at bringing more safety and more transparency to the over-the-counter derivatives market.