Spain seeks new EU economy vision
Spain proposes setting binding economic targets for the EU under a 10-year plan to boost growth and competitiveness.

'Smoked' flavour food concerns
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) says one of the flavourings used to give smoke flavour to meat cheese or fish, may be toxic to humans.

Eurozone unemployment reaches 10%
Unemployment in the 16 countries that use the euro hits 10% for the first time since the single currency was introduced.

EU split over airport body scans
The EU is divided over the use of body scanners at airports, in response to the attempt to blow up a US-bound jet at Christmas.

Contracts for Galileo sat-nav
Contracts worth one billion euros are awarded to build an operational satellite-navigation system for Europe.

Spain takes reins of revamped EU
Spain is taking the reins of the EU - a role which will define how member states work with the new EU president and foreign policy chief.

EU Lisbon Treaty comes into force
The EU's Lisbon Treaty comes into force, marking what European Union leaders have described as a "new era" for the 27-nation bloc.

EU foreign head dismisses critics
The new EU foreign affairs chief dismisses criticism of her appointment, saying she is the "the best person for the job".

Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty
Key questions answered on the process and meaning of the EU's reform treaty, now ratified by all 27 member states.

Timeline: The road to Lisbon
The BBC charts the journey of the Lisbon Treaty and the obstacles it has overcome.

EU eyes bigger global role
The 'Yes' vote by Irish voters on the Lisbon treaty has brought forward the prospect that the European Union might play a greater role in world affairs, says Paul Reynolds

Lisbon Treaty: What they said
A selection of quotes from political leaders about the EU's controversial Lisbon Treaty.

Diary - New-look Euro Parliament
What is the new European Parliament up to? The BBC's Dominic Hughes finds out in his Strasbourg diary.

New faces join European politics
The BBC's Jonty Bloom discusses the arrival of a new Polish president and the first UK far right MEPs to the European Parliament.

Voters steer Europe to the right
Centre-right parties have done well in EU elections at the expense of the left, with far-right groups also making gains.

As it happened: Euro elections 09
News, analysis and your comments as the results of the 2009 European election come in - along with a selection of comments from blogs and twitter.

A toast to Europe's diversity
The BBC's Jonny Dymond reflects on what the EU means to ordinary people, after a nine-country tour.

Mandelson 'wanted EU foreign job'
Lord Mandelson says he would have liked to have become the EU's first "foreign secretary", but is committed to the government.

Ashton 'won't be extension of UK'
Baroness Ashton says she will be a strong voice for the EU - and denies taking "direct money" from communists when at CND.

Hands off City, Darling warns EU
Chancellor Alistair Darling warns against more European Union regulation of the UK financial services industry.

Pearson elected new UKIP leader
Former Conservative peer Lord Pearson of Rannoch is elected new leader of the UK Independence Party.

What if the UK left the EU?
The Lisbon Treaty has a withdrawal clause - what if the UK went down that route?

BNP in alliance with nationalists
The British National Party (BNP) joins forces with European far-right groups in a new Alliance of National Movements.

EU won't rule by Charter
UK opt-out from Charter of Fundamental Rights is not convincing, Professor Damian Chalmers argues.

A truly European vote?
Professor Simon Hix of the London School of Economics offers ideas to help voters engage with future European elections.

EU crisis management
Ahead of the European elections two business leaders examine how the EU is coping with the economic crisis.

Working time dispute
Two leading figures in the British debate on the controversial EU Working Time Directive put the cases for and against the UK's opt-out.

EU enlargement woes
Slamming EU doors may be risky, says Katinka Barysch

For and against the Lisbon Treaty
Two European think-tank experts argue for and against the EU's controversial Lisbon Treaty.

EU 'must promote more women'
European Commission Vice-President Margot Wallstrom says it is time the EU appointed more women to senior positions.

Overhaul MEP expenses system
Euro MPs' expenses are far too open to abuse and bolder reforms are needed, Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies argues.

What do MEPs do?
Election year guide to the European Parliament

Jargonbuster
A glossary of key eurojargon words and phrases

Who does what?
At-a-glance guide to EU institutions and agencies

EU timeline
History of the EU from post-war to present day

The next eight
Enlargement so far, and countries in the queue to join

Where euros go
How and where EU cash is spent, in clear graphics

Party politics
MEPs sit in blocs reflecting Europe's diverse opinions

Guide to EU laws
Which key laws did MEPs pass in the last parliament?