UK makes robust defence of its Brexit talks stance, still hopes to reach deal in October
22 Sep International & Trade

UK makes robust defence of its Brexit talks stance, still hopes to reach deal in October

The comments to this website come despite growing pessimism about the prospect of an agreement being thrashed out in time for the October deadline set by the EU.
by Martin Banks
New Special Committee on Foreign Interference elects Raphaël Glucksmann as chair
23 Sep International & Trade
New Special Committee on Foreign Interference elects Raphaël Glucksmann as chair
Socialist leader lambasts Boris Johnson over failure to comply with international law
15 Sep International & Trade
Socialist leader lambasts Boris Johnson over failure to comply with international law
EU foreign affairs chief: Europe faces threat from three ‘re-emerging empires’
15 Sep International & Trade
EU foreign affairs chief: Europe faces threat from three ‘re-emerging empires’
Morocco, A green energy bridge between Europe and Africa PM+
21 Sep International & Trade
Morocco, A green energy bridge between Europe and Africa
The EU stands to gain from Morocco’s energy strategy review, explains Ghalia Mokhtari.
Belarus opposition leader urges MEPs to ‘show solidarity’ with protestors
21 Sep International & Trade
Belarus opposition leader urges MEPs to ‘show solidarity’ with protestors
Speaking in the European Parliament on Monday, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said, “We need your support.”
Senior MEPs warn of No Deal Brexit reality but continue to hope for breakthrough
21 Sep International & Trade
Senior MEPs warn of No Deal Brexit reality but continue to hope for breakthrough
German EPP member David McAllister, who chairs Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, said that “nobody should underestimate the practical, economic and social consequences of a No Deal scenario.”
Brexit war of words heats up as European Commission President responds to UK threat to break Withdrawal Agreement with Margaret Thatcher quote
18 Sep International & Trade
Brexit war of words heats up as European Commission President responds to UK threat to break Withdrawal Agreement with Margaret Thatcher quote
Ursula von der Leyen says UK should remember that Margaret Thatcher once said the UK does not break treaties as it would be bad for Britain and bad for trade.
MEPs join forces to outline series of demands to salvage Withdrawal Agreement
14 Sep International & Trade
MEPs join forces to outline series of demands to salvage Withdrawal Agreement
Irish MEP Barry Andrews has teamed up with fellow deputies in demanding that the EU “makes clear that it will not tolerate” any breach of the Withdrawal Agreement.
Brexit endgame: More Baldrick than Machiavelli
14 Sep International & Trade
Brexit endgame: More Baldrick than Machiavelli
As Brexit talks move into the final phase, is the UK government determined to crash out with No Deal or is it playing a tactical game designed to obtain what it believes to be the best deal possible? Regardless of its ‘cunning plan,’ trust is being burned at a rate of knots, writes David O’Sullivan.
Brexit talks on brink of collapse as war of words intensifies
11 Sep International & Trade
Brexit talks on brink of collapse as war of words intensifies
The EU says trust between Brussels and London has been “seriously damaged” after the UK passed legislation this week that overrides the Withdrawal Agreement.
European Parliament President ‘deeply worried’ at prospect of No Deal Brexit
10 Sep International & Trade
European Parliament President ‘deeply worried’ at prospect of No Deal Brexit
David Sassoli was speaking following a meeting with EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as the eighth round of talks draw to a close, seemingly with no sign of progress on issues like state aid, fisheries and the level playing field.
Former European Parliament President and Vice-President condemn UK’s current Brexit stance
09 Sep International & Trade
Former European Parliament President and Vice-President condemn UK’s current Brexit stance
The attack on Wednesday by Pat Cox and Edward McMillan-Scott, comes on the day the British government publishes plans for policing trade between different parts of the country from 2021.
UK close to becoming ‘rogue state’ after ‘reneging’ on Withdrawal Agreement, says Greens co-leader
08 Sep International & Trade
UK close to becoming ‘rogue state’ after ‘reneging’ on Withdrawal Agreement, says Greens co-leader
Philippe Lamberts has sparked fury after he asked in an interview if the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, should trust the words of the British negotiators.
UK mulls ‘override’ of key sections of Brexit Withdrawal Agreement ahead of new round of trade deal talks with EU
07 Sep International & Trade
UK mulls ‘override’ of key sections of Brexit Withdrawal Agreement ahead of new round of trade deal talks with EU
Threat comes as MEPs warn UK that European Parliament ‘will not rubberstamp’ any new deal.
Georgia: straying from the rule of law PM+
04 Sep International & Trade
Georgia: straying from the rule of law
Legal certainty is a cornerstone of European values, but foreign investors are being denied it in Georgia, argues former EU Commissioner Franco Frattini.
Senior MEP expresses concern over ‘lack of real progress’ in deadlocked Brexit talks
03 Sep International & Trade
Senior MEP expresses concern over ‘lack of real progress’ in deadlocked Brexit talks
Parliament Vice-President Mairead McGuinness, strongly tipped to be Ireland’s next EU commissioner, says she is dismayed by the failure to make more headway in the negotiations.
EU insists that one of the two nominees for the post of new Irish commissioner must be a woman
02 Sep International & Trade
EU insists that one of the two nominees for the post of new Irish commissioner must be a woman
‘Ball is in Irish court’ over who it wants to nominate, but one candidate must be a woman, says European Commission.
A crucial G20 Summit PM+
01 Sep International & Trade
A crucial G20 Summit
With the increased challenges from Covid-19, we need to push on with an agenda that aims to recover and shape the future, writes Ambassador Saad Bin Mohammed Alarify.
The 10 Brexits Boris Johnson must consider
27 Aug International & Trade
The 10 Brexits Boris Johnson must consider
Former Europe Minister Denis MacShane lays out the various scenarios that the Prime Minister should bear in mind before making his final decision on the UK’s withdraw.
Phil Hogan quits over Irish 'Golfgate' coronavirus breach
27 Aug International & Trade
Phil Hogan quits over Irish 'Golfgate' coronavirus breach
EU trade commissioner says he regrets concern, unease and upset he’s caused.
Phil Hogan at the centre of a huge row about his political future
26 Aug International & Trade
Phil Hogan at the centre of a huge row about his political future
EU trade commissioner facing numerous calls to quit after he allegedly broke quarantine rules in his native Ireland.
'Belarus: not a choice between Russia and the EU'
26 Aug International & Trade
"Belarus: not a choice between Russia and the EU"
Helga Schmid, Secretary General of the EEAS, briefed members of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs committee on the EU response to the ongoing situation in Belarus.
Belarusian opposition leader calls on EU to support country’s ‘peaceful revolution’
25 Aug International & Trade
Belarusian opposition leader calls on EU to support country’s ‘peaceful revolution’
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya made an impassioned plea during her address to the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs committee.
Five reasons why even a basic Brexit deal is better than nothing
25 Aug International & Trade
Five reasons why even a basic Brexit deal is better than nothing
A deal would avoid tariffs, unlock supplementary benefits, allow for EU and UK customs co-operation, ensure the Northern Ireland protocol is implemented sustainably and provide a platform on which to build a deeper relationship in the future.
EU Trade Chief’s job on the line after Covid-19 lockdown rules breach
24 Aug International & Trade
EU Trade Chief’s job on the line after Covid-19 lockdown rules breach
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has asked EU trade Commissioner Phil Hogan to “fully explain” the circumstances surrounding his controversial attendance at a golf club dinner in Ireland.
UK playing ‘detrimental poker game’ with EU on Brexit talks, says Senior MEP
24 Aug International & Trade
UK playing ‘detrimental poker game’ with EU on Brexit talks, says Senior MEP
David McAllister, who chairs the European Parliament’s UK coordination group, told this website that time is running out on reaching an agreement by end of October deadline.
EU says Brexit talks are ‘going backwards’
21 Aug International & Trade
EU says Brexit talks are ‘going backwards’
Michel Barnier says UK showing ‘no willingness’ to take on board EU's priorities as latest round ends without a breakthrough.