EU press services

In Brussels

At EU headquarters, each policy area has its official Spokesperson. For example, there is a European Neighbourhood Policy Spokesperson, a Trade Spokesperson, etc.
Commission Spokespersons are there to inform and facilitate journalists covering EU matters.

Click here for a complete list of the Commission Spokespersons.

Apart from European Commissioners and Directors-General that head the different sections, the Spokespersons are the only other EU officials who may speak to the press on behalf of the Commission, giving on-the-record quotes and background information.

They hold midday daily briefings for Brussels-based correspondents to present the latest news. These briefings can be followed live on Europe by Satellite (EBS). Go to the schedule and click on the event.

To get the EU news of the day, add RAPID to your favourites. This is the European Commission's press release website going back to 1985. The day's press releases are posted here within hours of release to the Brussels press.
 
For the press service of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, click here.
 
Council of the EU
Click here for the press service of the Council of the European Union.
 
For the Council’s TV newsroom, featuring broadcast quality video packages, click here. 
 
European Parliament
The European Parliament (EP), with directly elected members drawn from the main political parties in the 27 EU Member States, provides a number of press services:
 
European Parliament political groups:
  • EPP Group - the Group of the European People's Party 
  • S&D - Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
  • ALDE/ADLE Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
  • Green/EFA Group of Greens / European Free Alliance
  • GUE/NGL Confederal Group of the European United Left / Nordic Green Left
  • EFD – Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group 
 
There is also an EP Hotline Newsdesk set up to help media professionals with their research.
 
 
Other EU Institutions
The press service of the Committee of the Regions (CoR), the political assembly of local and regional authorities set up in 1994 to give elected European local authorities a voice. The Commission and the Council consult the CoR for proposals that affect the regions. It has 317 members and an equal number of "alternate members".
 
The press service of the Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the non-political body representing Europe's socio-occupational interest groups and other civil society organisations. It gives non-binding opinions on EU policy. The EESC was set up in 1957 and has 220 members from organisations such as consumer groups, employers associations and trade unions.
 
The press service of the European Court of Justice, the body that ensures Member States interpret and implement EU laws in the same way. It also settles disputes between the EU's institutions and member states. Any European citizen or organisation can bring a case before the Court if it concerns a legal act that directly affects them. Since 1989, the Court of First Instance was also established to lessen the Court's work load and reduce delays. The Courts are based in Luxembourg. All member states have a judge in both Courts.
 
N.B. Do not confuse the Court of Justice with the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights, linked to the Council of Europe.
 
The press service of the European Investment Bank (EIB): All member states are members of the EIB and have subscribed to its capital. It has its own legal identity and financial autonomy. It provides long-term finance for capital projects, helping economic integration and greater economic and social cohesion in Europe. It also provides grants and loans to non-EU countries that have signed cooperation agreements with the EU including all the MEDA countries.
 
The press service of the European Central Bank (ECB), the central bank for Europe's single currency, the euro. The eurozone comprises the 17 EU countries that have introduced the euro since 1999.
 
The press service of the European Ombudsman who is elected and appointed by the European Parliament to hear and deal with individual complaints of maladministration by EU Institutions or bodies. Any citizen of the 27 member states, company or organisation based in the EU may ask the Ombudsman to investigate their case. The Ombudsman is based in Strasbourg.
 
The press service of the European Court of Auditors (ECA) which examines EU spending to ensure there are no irregularities and that it provides maximum value for money. It was established in 1975 and is based in Luxembourg. Every member state appoints one member to the ECA, who is approved by the European Parliament and the Council. The ECP publishes its opinions.
 
The press service of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) which fights fraud, corruption and any other irregular activity, including misconduct within the European Institutions. OLAF is part of the Commission, but operates as an independent office, closely cooperating with national anti-fraud and anti-corruption agencies.