UK in diplomatic spat with EU over ambassador rights
22 Jan International & Trade

UK in diplomatic spat with EU over ambassador rights

The UK has been accused of “childish petulance” after it refused to grant the EU’s ambassador to Britain full diplomatic privileges.
by Martin Banks
Navalny arrest an early test for Biden
22 Jan International & Trade
Navalny arrest an early test for Biden
MEPs greet Joe Biden presidency as beginning of 'new era' for transatlantic relations
21 Jan International & Trade
MEPs greet Joe Biden presidency as beginning of 'new era' for transatlantic relations
European Commission president joins senior MEPs in greeting the start of Biden Presidency
20 Jan International & Trade
European Commission president joins senior MEPs in greeting the start of Biden Presidency
‘Everyone fed up with waiting for Godot’ says MEP, as Brexit talks expected to go down to the wire
18 Dec International & Trade
‘Everyone fed up with waiting for Godot’ says MEP, as Brexit talks expected to go down to the wire
Meanwhile EU negotiator Michel Barnier says there is still a chance of a Brexit deal, ‘but the path to it is very narrow’.
Parliament’s group leaders ready for extraordinary plenary if Brexit deal reached by Sunday
17 Dec International & Trade
Parliament’s group leaders ready for extraordinary plenary if Brexit deal reached by Sunday
After meeting with EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Thursday, the Conference of Presidents said they stand ready to organise an extraordinary plenary session towards the end of December in the event that an agreement is reached by midnight on Sunday 20 December.
S&D leader warns it will soon be ‘virtually impossible’ for Parliament to debate and vote on any Brexit deal
16 Dec International & Trade
S&D leader warns it will soon be ‘virtually impossible’ for Parliament to debate and vote on any Brexit deal
Iratxe García Pérez was speaking as Brexit talks continue in Brussels and with the 31 December deadline for the end of the transition period looming on the horizon.
European Commission admits that trade deal with UK may have become ‘less likely’
14 Dec International & Trade
European Commission admits that trade deal with UK may have become ‘less likely’
A spokesman told reporters, “We are at a very late stage. The more time that goes by the less likely it is that we will have a deal in place on the first of January. This is a statement of fact.”
Bahrain: a valuable partner for Europe
14 Dec International & Trade
Bahrain: a valuable partner for Europe
The Gulf state has undergone major economic and social changes in recent years and can be a strategic partner for Europe in the region, writes Tomáš Zdechovský.
EU-Maldives: real partners
11 Dec International & Trade
EU-Maldives: real partners
We must avoid being introspective on the impact of COVID-19 and instead consider the plight of nations whose economies have been particularly impacted, such as the Maldives, writes Tomáš Zdechovský.
Sunday is crunch day as EU and UK set another Brexit deadline
10 Dec International & Trade
Sunday is crunch day as EU and UK set another Brexit deadline
A dinner meeting between Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson in Brussels on Wednesday evening failed to yield a breakthrough in the deadlocked talks.
Russia’s double-game in Belarus PM+
10 Dec International & Trade
Russia’s double-game in Belarus
It is crucial that the EU and US simultaneously support the protestors, pressure Lukashenko and prevent Russia from growing its influence in the country, writes former Bulgarian foreign minister Daniel Mitov.
Mayor of London urges EU and UK to continue talks until trade deal is reached
09 Dec International & Trade
Mayor of London urges EU and UK to continue talks until trade deal is reached
Sadiq Khan’s plea comes just ahead of a key meeting over dinner in Brussels later on Wednesday between Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson.
EU and UK ‘running out of time’ as von der Leyen and Johnson gear up for Brussels meeting
08 Dec International & Trade
EU and UK ‘running out of time’ as von der Leyen and Johnson gear up for Brussels meeting
Manfred Weber, the leader of the EPP Group in Parliament, was speaking after it emerged that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will come to Brussels “in the coming days” for a physical meeting with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
In conversation with... Nasser Bourita In Conversation With…
07 Dec International & Trade
In conversation with... Nasser Bourita
The EU-Morocco relationship needs to transcend notions of ‘us and them’ and provide a clear political perspective to each partner’s ambitions, explains Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita.
Von der Leyen and Johnson set for make-or-break Brexit call
07 Dec International & Trade
Von der Leyen and Johnson set for make-or-break Brexit call
The European Commission President and the UK Prime Minister will assess an eleventh-hour attempt to salvage a Brexit trade deal during a phone conversation on Monday at 5pm CET.
Commission defends preparations for No Deal Brexit; says ‘we’ve done all we can’
02 Dec International & Trade
Commission defends preparations for No Deal Brexit; says ‘we’ve done all we can’
This comes with criticism mounting that No Deal preparations on both sides of the Channel are woefully inadequate.
MEPs and NGOs call for ‘immediate’ ban on ivory imports into EU
30 Nov International & Trade
MEPs and NGOs call for ‘immediate’ ban on ivory imports into EU
They say the move is urgently needed to combat a trade that sees at least 20,000 African elephants killed illegally for their ivory.
United for the Future of Europe
30 Nov International & Trade
United for the Future of Europe
Civil society can play an essential role in shaping Europe’s post-COVID future, writes EESC President Christa Schweng.
Former British MEP says EU stands to lose more than UK from No Deal Brexit
24 Nov International & Trade
Former British MEP says EU stands to lose more than UK from No Deal Brexit
Former ECR Group deputy David Campbell Bannerman said, “I had hoped we would end up with a super Canada deal but the thing currently on offer seems much thinner and I think that is a mistake.”
Senior MEP warns that ‘big divergencies’ still threaten to torpedo Brexit deal
23 Nov International & Trade
Senior MEP warns that ‘big divergencies’ still threaten to torpedo Brexit deal
Nathalie Loiseau has tempered expectations that the UK and EU are about to broker a deal, saying, “We are offering an unprecedented partnership with the UK, but this comes with clarity and commitments, and so far they are missing.”
A new impetus in India-EU relations
20 Nov International & Trade
A new impetus in India-EU relations
As the world deals with a Coronavirus second wave, Indian Ambassador Santosh Jha tells Rajnish Singh that his country can work together with the EU to ensure economic recovery is quick and stable.
Herman Van Rompuy: EU should continue on path of autonomy
20 Nov International & Trade
Herman Van Rompuy: EU should continue on path of autonomy
The former Council President made the remark at the EPC annual conference, and predicted that geo-politics will “change dramatically” following the election of Joe Biden in the U.S.
The World needs the G20, now more than ever PM+
19 Nov International & Trade
The World needs the G20, now more than ever
As Saudi Arabia’s G20 Presidency comes to an end, H.E. Ambassador Saad Bin Mohammed Alarify, Head of the Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the European Union, reports on the country’s significant achievements.
EU and UK in ‘final push’ to reach Brexit deal, says Commission Vice-President
18 Nov International & Trade
EU and UK in ‘final push’ to reach Brexit deal, says Commission Vice-President
The comments by Valdis Dombrovskis on Wednesday come with the two sides locked in talks in Brussels in an effort to resolve the remaining obstacles to a deal.
MEPs urge EU to ensure reciprocal access to fishing waters in ongoing Brexit talks
18 Nov International & Trade
MEPs urge EU to ensure reciprocal access to fishing waters in ongoing Brexit talks
Deputies argue that European fishermen should continue to have “unlimited” access to UK waters, irrespective of whether a deal is done or not.
MEPs welcome Joe Biden presidency as new era in transatlantic relationship
13 Nov International & Trade
MEPs welcome Joe Biden presidency as new era in transatlantic relationship
European Parliament urged to invite US president-elect to address MEPs.
Senior MEP takes aim at UK government over Internal Market Bill
12 Nov International & Trade
Senior MEP takes aim at UK government over Internal Market Bill
Greens/EFA vice-chair Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield has condemned the UK government for refusing to comply with the House of Lords vote and remove the offending parts of the Brexit legislation.