EU and UK strike conciliatory tone over possibility of Brexit trade deal being struck by autumn
30 Jul International & Trade

EU and UK strike conciliatory tone over possibility of Brexit trade deal being struck by autumn

UK government says it ‘still believes’ there is chance of reaching an agreement by October.
by Martin Banks
Azerbaijani MP condemns violent attacks on diplomatic missions and embassies in the US and Belgium by members of Armenian Diaspora
04 Aug International & Trade
Azerbaijani MP condemns violent attacks on diplomatic missions and embassies in the US and Belgium by members of Armenian Diaspora
Small EU businesses voice ‘major concerns’ over lack of progress in ongoing Brexit talks
03 Aug International & Trade
Small EU businesses voice ‘major concerns’ over lack of progress in ongoing Brexit talks
David Frost says despite difficulties, Brexit trade deal can still be reached in autumn
31 Jul International & Trade
David Frost says despite difficulties, Brexit trade deal can still be reached in autumn
Scotland & the EU: Auld acquaintances
28 Jul International & Trade
Scotland & the EU: Auld acquaintances
Michael Russell, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs, tells Martin Banks that an independent Scotland’s path to re-joining the EU would be helped by its unique experience of already having been part of the bloc for 47 years.
Defending the Defenceless: Pakistan’s Rural Support Network takes the lead PM+
28 Jul International & Trade
Defending the Defenceless: Pakistan’s Rural Support Network takes the lead
Shandana Humayun Khan, CEO of the Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN), urges the EU to join the battle against COVID-19 and support the most vulnerable communities in Pakistan.
Last chance saloon for Brexit trade deal as Barnier brands it ‘unlikely’
23 Jul International & Trade
Last chance saloon for Brexit trade deal as Barnier brands it ‘unlikely’
As the EU and UK wrapped up their latest round of talks in London, the EU’s chief negotiator was dubious of the likelihood of breaking the deadlock while his UK counterpart was decidedly more upbeat on the prospect of a deal in September.
America and Europe: united despite diversity
23 Jul International & Trade
America and Europe: united despite diversity
Although there are big differences between the US and Europe over trade, US ambassador to the EU, Ronald Gidwitz, tells Rajnish Singh that the transatlantic partnership remains strong and resilient.
Brexit talks to resume with focus on trade level playing field, fisheries and governance
20 Jul International & Trade
Brexit talks to resume with focus on trade level playing field, fisheries and governance
Ahead of the resumption of negotiations on Tuesday, Michel Barnier and David Frost, the chief negotiators for the two sides, will have a dinner in London, where this week’s talks will take place.
Brexit trade talks likely to go down to the wire as EU draws up ‘needs assessment’ in case of a no-deal
17 Jul International & Trade
Brexit trade talks likely to go down to the wire as EU draws up ‘needs assessment’ in case of a no-deal
No deal, or ‘bare bones’ trade deal, likely outcome, warn former UK policymakers.
Fisheries stakeholders on tenterhooks over Brexit deal
14 Jul International & Trade
Fisheries stakeholders on tenterhooks over Brexit deal
Failure to agree mutual access to fishing waters post-Brexit could threaten the whole Common Fisheries Policy, putting Europe’s fishermen in peril, warns Grace O’Sullivan.
COVID-19: Towards a resilient agriculture model in Africa
14 Jul International & Trade
COVID-19: Towards a resilient agriculture model in Africa
OCP Africa is helping African farmers cope during the COVID-19 crisis, explains Colin Mackay.
Development policy: engaging the world on equal footing
10 Jul International & Trade
Development policy: engaging the world on equal footing
Development is not something achieved through economic means alone, it’s about learning from each other’s experiences, argues Norbert Neuser.
Senior MEP ‘pessimistic’ about progress in latest Brexit talks
09 Jul International & Trade
Senior MEP ‘pessimistic’ about progress in latest Brexit talks
Bernd Lange, a member of Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, told this website that he hopes the continuing talks, being held for the first time in London, will “unlock the UK’s negotiating position.”
Trade Commissioner: EU will ‘act decisively’ if US slaps fresh tariffs on goods
09 Jul International & Trade
Trade Commissioner: EU will ‘act decisively’ if US slaps fresh tariffs on goods
Phil Hogan’s stark warning follows the US threat to put duties on EU goods such as beer, gin and olives, intensifying a long-running row over aviation subsidies between the two sides.
Resumed Brexit talks have ‘not lived up to’ call for more urgency to reach deal
07 Jul International & Trade
Resumed Brexit talks have ‘not lived up to’ call for more urgency to reach deal
Luxembourg MEP Christophe Hansen, a member of Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, said the meetings between the two sides have, so far, “not exactly lived up to the expectations of fresh momentum.”
The Rebel Queen
02 Jul International & Trade
The Rebel Queen
This year, in the wake of our global reckoning with racism, Independence Day should also be a day for reflecting on all people of African descent who fought for their right to be free from slavery and oppression, yet who have been deliberately erased from history.
Michel Barnier says ‘serious divergences remain’ in Brexit negotiations
02 Jul International & Trade
Michel Barnier says ‘serious divergences remain’ in Brexit negotiations
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator was speaking at the close of this week’s talks with his UK counterpart David Frost.
Why Moldova belongs in the European Union
30 Jun International & Trade
Why Moldova belongs in the European Union
The country may be more polarised than ever, but the least its people deserve is a government that respects the rule of law, argues Ramona Strugariu.
Georgia on my mind
30 Jun International & Trade
Georgia on my mind
Georgia is an oasis of democracy, peace and prosperity in an otherwise complex and conflict ridden region. The EU must remain firmly committed to its policy of supporting Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, writes Marina Kaljurand
Eastern Partnership in review
25 Jun International & Trade
Eastern Partnership in review
The initiative has brought concrete benefits for both the EU and its eastern neighbourhood, and engagement with the six partner countries remains a key priority, writes Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi.
Could a successful Eastern Partnership encourage Russia to reform?
25 Jun International & Trade
Could a successful Eastern Partnership encourage Russia to reform?
We need some courageous EU policymaking to ensure our Eastern partners can become free, united and democratic, argues Witold Jan Waszczykowski.
Europol voices concern over ‘worrying’ rise in violence and propaganda by right-wing extremists
24 Jun International & Trade
Europol voices concern over ‘worrying’ rise in violence and propaganda by right-wing extremists
The warning comes in a report by the EU agency which was presented to members of Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee on Tuesday.
Putting EU development policy back on the map
23 Jun International & Trade
Putting EU development policy back on the map
Everyone involved in development and humanitarian aid policies will benefit from better coordination and stronger EU leadership, writes Tomas Tobé.
Dominic Cummings “is calling the shots” in the British government, says senior MEP
22 Jun International & Trade
Dominic Cummings “is calling the shots” in the British government, says senior MEP
The controversial political strategist has served as chief adviser to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson since July 2019.
Chrysoula Zacharopoulou interview: Célébrer la diversité
22 Jun International & Trade
Chrysoula Zacharopoulou interview: Célébrer la diversité
Tout être humain a le droit de vivre dans la dignité et de s’épanouir, indépendamment de sa couleur de peau, de son genre, de son handicap, de son appartenance ethnique ou de son orientation sexuelle. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou défend auprès de Lorna Hutchinson la nécessité de porter ces valeurs européennes fondatrices.
Boris Johnson told to follow up on his demand to ‘put a tiger in the tank' of stalled Brexit talks
19 Jun International & Trade
Boris Johnson told to follow up on his demand to ‘put a tiger in the tank' of stalled Brexit talks
European Parliament’s UK Coordination Group deputies warn ‘level playing field’ is an EU red line issue.
Moroccan medical aid is an example of true solidarity between African nations PM+
19 Jun International & Trade
Moroccan medical aid is an example of true solidarity between African nations
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Africa particularly hard. However, Morocco has once again taken the initiative, writes Colin Mackay.