Google Inc. and the European Union moved closer to settling a long-running antitrust investigation, potentially helping the company cement its position in Europe but risking ire among rivals who have said that Google has abused its dominance in Internet search.

EU Competition Commissioner Joaquín Almunia said Tuesday that Google offered concessions that more fully address concerns that the company unfairly uses its search engine to promote its own services. Earlier proposals from the Mountain View, Calif., company were slammed...