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
Brexit negotiators expected to hold call in bid to salvage talks
19 Oct International & Trade
Brexit negotiators expected to hold call in bid to salvage talks
Michel Barnier and David Frost are expected to make contact on Monday after last week’s EU summit failed to reach agreement on a deal between the two sides.
EU leaders converge on Brussels for summit as spectre of no-deal Brexit looms large
15 Oct International & Trade
EU leaders converge on Brussels for summit as spectre of no-deal Brexit looms large
In a pre-summit briefing for reporters, a senior EU official admitted that “time is running out” to broker a Brexit trade deal by the end of this month, adding, “we need to see movement.”
Boris Johnson expresses ‘disappointment’ over lack of progress in Brexit talks
14 Oct International & Trade
Boris Johnson expresses ‘disappointment’ over lack of progress in Brexit talks
The UK Prime Minister’s call with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday evening ahead of his self-imposed Thursday deadline was yet another damp squib.
Support for Scottish independence at record high
14 Oct International & Trade
Support for Scottish independence at record high
A poll conducted by Ipsos MORI shows 58 percent of Scots in favour of leaving the United Kingdom.
Former US ambassador to the EU says US election is chance for the country ‘to return to decency’
14 Oct International & Trade
Former US ambassador to the EU says US election is chance for the country ‘to return to decency’
Anthony Gardner said, “This election is a battle for the soul of the country. It is a battle for democracy in the US. This is not an exaggeration.”
Armenia is targeting civilians during the agreed ceasefire PM+
14 Oct International & Trade
Armenia is targeting civilians during the agreed ceasefire
Weapons are being shipped to Armenia under the guise of ‘aid’, which are then being used to target Ganja, Azerbaijan’s second largest city, killing and injuring civilians and destroying homes and properties, says Azerbaijan MP Könül Nurullayeva.
Brexit: The art of compromise
13 Oct International & Trade
Brexit: The art of compromise
The blow that a hard Brexit would deliver to the languishing UK and EU economies is highly undesirable and can be avoided as all negotiating endgames turn on concessions, writes former European Parliament President Pat Cox.
Africa must rise to the agricultural transformation challenge Thought Leader
13 Oct International & Trade
Africa must rise to the agricultural transformation challenge
Transformation is “slow magic” which requires sustained nurturing, writes Isabelle Tsakok.
EPP Group warns that Parliament will veto any Brexit deal that breaches Withdrawal Agreement
13 Oct International & Trade
EPP Group warns that Parliament will veto any Brexit deal that breaches Withdrawal Agreement
The message comes with EU leaders due to debate Brexit at a summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.
Taking Brexit down to the wire
12 Oct International & Trade
Taking Brexit down to the wire
The chances of this week’s EU Council meeting having anything much to discuss and decide in terms of a Brexit deal are small to non-existent. But Boris Johnson is an artist of the political pirouette, explains Denis MacShane.
MEPs call for creation of EU financial crimes authority in wake of FinCEN Files scandal
09 Oct International & Trade
MEPs call for creation of EU financial crimes authority in wake of FinCEN Files scandal
European Commission pledges to step up fight against money laundering.
UK could gain Brexit trade deal ‘advantage’ by compromising on state aid, says leading think tank
09 Oct International & Trade
UK could gain Brexit trade deal ‘advantage’ by compromising on state aid, says leading think tank
Message comes as EU-UK talks extend into next week in last-ditch bid to find an agreement.
Illicit trade is not just a tax problem, consumers suffer PM+
09 Oct International & Trade
Illicit trade is not just a tax problem, consumers suffer
Fake protective equipment and counterfeit medicines are putting patients’ lives at risk, warns Luca Bertoletti.
Flare-up in Nagorno-Karabakh dispute threatens regional stability, says Foreign Affairs Committee Chair
08 Oct International & Trade
Flare-up in Nagorno-Karabakh dispute threatens regional stability, says Foreign Affairs Committee Chair
David McAllister’s comments come as clashes continue over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, an enclave officially part of Azerbaijan but run by ethnic Armenians.
Josep Borrell criticised by MEPs over ‘clandestine’ diplomatic mission to Venezuela
07 Oct International & Trade
Josep Borrell criticised by MEPs over ‘clandestine’ diplomatic mission to Venezuela
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, several members accused the EU foreign affairs chief of being responsible for “a chain of half-truths and lies.”
Senior EU political figures warn UK that ‘time is short’ for Brexit deal
06 Oct International & Trade
Senior EU political figures warn UK that ‘time is short’ for Brexit deal
David McAllister, who chairs Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, said the talks have entered a “very crucial phase.”
What Europe’s foreign policy priorities should be in 2021
06 Oct International & Trade
What Europe’s foreign policy priorities should be in 2021
The EU has a responsibility to act as a global player and adjust its foreign policy in line with the fight against COVID-19, writes Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Chair David McAllister.
EU and UK light fire under Brexit negotiators in last-ditch attempt to reach deal
05 Oct International & Trade
EU and UK light fire under Brexit negotiators in last-ditch attempt to reach deal
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held phone talks with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday in a bid to revive the stalled Brexit talks.
Eastern Partnership: Time for action
05 Oct International & Trade
Eastern Partnership: Time for action
A successful Eastern Partnership policy is the ultimate test for the EU’s global leadership ambitions, explains Petras Auštrevicius.
Brexit: Senior MEPs throw weight behind Commission’s infringement proceedings against UK
01 Oct International & Trade
Brexit: Senior MEPs throw weight behind Commission’s infringement proceedings against UK
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen threw down the gauntlet on Thursday morning after weeks of jaw-dropping moves by the UK, and MEPs had her back.
Commission launches infringement proceedings against UK over controversial Internal Market Bill
01 Oct International & Trade
Commission launches infringement proceedings against UK over controversial Internal Market Bill
The Bill has sparked outrage as it overrides the Withdrawal Agreement, the deal painstakingly thrashed out by the two sides over the last two years.
‘Clock is ticking’ on chances of UK and EU reaching trade deal, says chair of UK Coordination Group
30 Sep International & Trade
‘Clock is ticking’ on chances of UK and EU reaching trade deal, says chair of UK Coordination Group
David McAllister was speaking as talks between the two sides resumed in Brussels on Tuesday.
UK Coordination Group deputy issues blunt warning as next round of Brexit talks kicks off
28 Sep International & Trade
UK Coordination Group deputy issues blunt warning as next round of Brexit talks kicks off
Christophe Hansen, who is also Parliament's trade committee negotiator, declared, “it is time for the UK to restore confidence to advance in the negotiations.”
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
The Committee is, among others, tasked with “thoroughly analysing” claims that rules in recent elections, including last year’s European poll, were breached or circumvented.