EU announces it has agreed unanimously amongst all member countries to take in Ukrainian refugees fir up to 3 years without asking them to first apply for asylum. Just been announced following a meeting of EU Interior ministers
Am still open-mouthed at this tweet. Shows complete and utter lack of understanding of Angela
#Merkel
herself, of Germany’s attitude to its Nazi past and of the dynamics of post-war Europe for that matter
Still can’t get my head around the whole “colluding with foreign powers” accusation from No10 at MPs accused of being anti-Brexit..When Boris Johnson asks EU leaders to hold back on granting/talking up idea of new extension, is that colluding with foreign powers too?
When supporters of Boris Johnson say: he achieved what so many claimed was impossible: he got EU to renegotiate
#Brexit
deal therefore he can also get an EU trade deal done by December next year although many say unlikely .. It’s important to remember the red line PM crossed.. /1
NEW Germany has dropped its block on the delivery of German-made lethal weapons to Ukraine via third countries. It’s a major shift in policy for Germany and could allow an increase of European military assistance to Ukraine /1
Spain is to become first country in Europe to introduce a permanent universal basic income programme to help people cope with the financial effects of
#COVID19
Each household will receive 462 euros a month. The aim: reaching up to a million “most vulnerable” Spanish households /1
One of Angela Merkel’s MPs has resigned from the German Parliament after it emerged that he and another politician received substantial commissions for the procurement of protective Coronavirus masks /1
Am not first to comment on this today but below observation by Michael Gove that
#coronavirus
will focus EU minds on post
#Brexit
trade deal is delusional. It distracts EU leaders all the more from something that was not top of in-tray even before COVID-19
Latest CER estimate: the UK economy is 2.5 per cent smaller than it would be if Britain had voted remain. The knock-on hit to the public finances is £19 billion per annum – or £360 million a week.
World Health Organisation says governments shouldn't lift
#coronavirus
restrictions unless they'te sure their national health system can cope AND they have a testing and tracing system in place to be confident where the virus is in communities to keep those not yet infected safe
He didn’t get the new Brexit deal by bullying/impressing/charming the EU. He got it by agreeing to protect their single market on island of Ireland after Brexit by putting a customs border down the Irish Sea. Allowing a ‘division’ between NIreland + GB he’d pledged never to do /2
EU carefully watching UK government in case it decides not to adhere to the Northern Ireland Protocol part of the Brexit agreement. EU Commission VP Šefčovič has called on UK gov to “dial down the rhetoric” and “be honest about the deal they signed” following elections inNIreland
This always sets EU teeth on edge. On George Eustice Marr repeats UK “only”asking for trade deal like EU already has w Canada” BUT Brussels repeats UK asking for far more: tariff +quota free access to single market, cabotage, police +judicial cooperation, access to EUdata bases..
« Not in my wildest dreams would I imagine that a possibility » is how an influential European diplomat responded to Boris Johnson’s assertion that a trade deal with the EU can be completed by December next year /1
Senior EU diplomat from country traditionally close to UK:”If UK domestic legislation undermines international treaty recently signed by UK+EU, this isnt only a trust orcredibility issue, it could cause trade negotiations to unravel. It wld be a self-defeating strategy by the UK”
NEW: 🚨🚨🚨🇬🇧🇪🇺🚨🚨🚨UK planning legislation to override key parts of
#brexit
withdrawal treaty and Northern Ireland protocol - a potentially HUGE move in negotiations; major ructions in Whitehall - my latest via
@FT
EU sources say they’re “not bothered” by PM’s new deadline of “Either there’s an EU trade deal on table mid October or there’ll be no deal at all.” Diplomats in Brussels note wryly they’ve seen quite a number of Boris Johnson
#Brexit
“deadlines” come and go /1
Causing a stir in France this eve: Dr Yves Cohen says his hospital re-tested the blood of patients treated in December for pneumonia.. Found a man whose blood tested positive for
#coronavirus
This was 27 Dec. Before
#COVID
ー19 was thought to have arrived in France👇
Frustration bubbles over. One EU diplomat today: “The UK voted leave. Mrs May presented contradictory Brexit parameters: leave customs union but keep border open on island of Ireland, no checks in Irish Sea but frictionless trade with EU. Impossible! How is that the EU’s fault?”
Noooooooo!! Jeremy Hunt talking about keeping border between NI and Ireland with technology.. Maybe in future but right now the technology does not exist. Not in place on any border in the world. Negotiators been round this block so many times
#BBCOurNextPM
#Brexit
EU views PMs letter accompanying his formal
#Brexit
extension request - saying that he doesn’t actually want an extension- as a gimmick aimed at a domestic audience. As far as EU law is concerned: a formal request from the UK prime minister, is a formal request full stop /1
I’m aware it’s not Italian etiquette to drink cappuccino after 11 but as someone who’s slept 0 hours, is now leaving Rome news for Madrid and at airport, I thought I’d indulge in the faux pas only to be told by stoney faced barman: it’s our policy not to serve cappuccino after 10
When PM said yesterday he’ll go to Paris or Berlin - whatever it takes to get a deal ... the response from EU diplomats was that the place to turn to is Brussels - that’s where trade talks are being negotiated from
#Brexit
Eu Commission chief says Ukraine belongs to European family. After crisis she says the country will be rebuilt with help of EU funds BUT confirms Ukraine’s application to officially become Eu member will not be fast-tracked. What wld that say to other countries that have long /1
"We're not going to negotiate through the media" was Angela Merkel's response when asked to react to Boris Johnson saying the EU needed to fundamentally change its attitude for negotiations to continue
#Brexit
You can almost hear the sound of combined eye-rolling across 27 European capitals .. as the PM requests a
#Brexit
extension-time (till 30th June) that Brussels has already repeatedly rejected /1
Mister Secretary, you don’t « break international law in a specific and limited way ». You do break it or you don’t. You can’t be half illegal, as you can’t be half pregnant.
It’s not hard for analysts or journalists to dial-an-EU diplomat following David Frost’s resignation as Brexit Secretary, and hear them say something “not very complimentary” (if we’re being polite..). Lord Frost’s ‘hardball’ manner was NOT appreciated in Brussels, but /1
Barnier: "Never in history of negotiations has EU been faced with such a tight timetable for negotiations. UK cant impose this tight timetable, then not engage in key issues of importance to EU". Says, EU still awaiting "reasonable proposals" from UK on issues of fishing
#brexit
1) Again and again I’m struck by the chasm in thinking between leading MP’s on
#Brexit
and the viewpoint of EU leaders - and remember, if you want a deal, it takes two to tango
« Real lack of understanding of consequences of U.K. leaving the customs union and single market. U.K. needs to be more realistic. Needs to change its strategy » says Michel Barnier
And you’ll hear the only way Johnson really has chance of getting bare bones FTA with EU done and dusted by Christmas next year is if he crosses his own red lines again and gives in to EU concerns ie. level playing field regulations and allowing EU fishing rights in UK waters /4
Massive, extended applause for Michel Barnier in European Parliament as he delivers his reaction to vote in House of Commons. He called for EU to remain
calm, united, to continue dialogue and be transparent. He said it's now up to the UK to provide clarity
UK official after 2nd round of negotiations says progress won’t be made till EU”drops insistence on imposing conditions on the UK which are not found in EU’s other trade agreements and which do not take account of the fact that we have left the EU as an independent state”
#brexit
EU has almost given up trying to understand what’s going on in UK.
Dutch PM Rutte compares Theresa May to Monty Python knight whose limbs get cut off in a duel but insists the fight was a draw. Elsewhere in EU, mood is darker esp with the prospect of a lengthy
#Brexit
delay 1
Germany‘s Economy Minister and France‘s Europe Minister separately observe that Europe cant wait for its fate to be decided by politics in US. Saying that 4 years of Trump presidency have shown Europe it needs to determine own path when comes to economy, climate, tech and more/1
Here we go again: « If there is no trade deal by the end of 2020, we will face a cliff-edge
#Brexit
» says new EU Commission chief von der Leyen, adding that a «Cliff-edge Brexit will harm UK more than it would the EU. »
Getting it done seemed of more importance to Johnson with the
#Brexit
deal than keeping his word about the union and avoiding a dividing line down the Irish Sea. How might it be with an EU trade deal? Would he give up ‘control’ and ‘sovereignty’ for a quick deal by December? /5
The Elysee Palace (French equivalent of No10) says Putin seemed unwilling to end attack on Ukraine in 1.5 hour long call he had today with Pres Macron + German Chancellor Scholz. Thought to be Macron's 10th Putin call since the invasion. Described as a difficult discussion.. /1
The European Commission has launched legal proceedings against the UK for allegedly violating EU law on free movement dating back to 2014 -« limiting the rights of first time job seekers and family members. Also imposing unjustified lifetime bans on re-entry to the country » /1
After short summer break, post
#Brexit
trade talks with EU have resumed. Don’t expect breakthroughs this week BUT do sit up and pay attention from now on. Remember those Brexiteer promises? If a deal is to be struck this autumn, compromises are inevitable - on both sides /1
“Unbelievable!” is the politest sentiment you hear in EU circles when they hear PM suggesting Brussels could “carve up UK”, install a “blockade in Irish Sea” and endanger peace in Northern Ireland if Tories MPs vote against Internal Market Bill /1
People living in Berlin have been asked to save their favourite haunt from going out of business eg cafe/restaurant by buying vouchers online👇that they can redeem in-store once life returns to normal ...
#coronavirus
As EU watches open-mouthed the scenes in Westminster.. in Paris, Berlin, Dublin, Brussels and the rest - leaders are asking: What Next?? And since no one knows for sure, there’s some contingency planning going on /1
President Macron says from Monday the whole of France will be designated as a green zone where
#covid19
has been brought under control. Cafes and restaurants in Paris will be able to open fully for first time since March /1
Remember if he signs up to ongoing alignment with EU environmental, labour, state aid competition rules etc after Brexit, then where’s the national sovereignty he promised voters? And if he doesn’t sign on the dotted line, then negotiations with the EU are bound to take longer /6
I’m hearing from sources close to the talks that the PM ‘didnt perform very well’ while addressing EU leaders on
#Brexit
this afternoon. I’m told she didn’t add anything new to the debate /1
Opinion amongst EU diplomats is broadly that IF PM is talking about EU threatening integrity of UK endangering peace in NIreland etc IN ORDER to eventually sell idea to Tory party that doing a trade deal with EU this autumn is the best way to avoid all this .. then “so be it” /1
EU sounding the alarm: THEY HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED THE PMs LETTER -EU Diplomats saying: How can 27 leaders be expected to reach a unanimous decision on PM’s
#Brexit
extension request with only hours to go before tomorrow’s EU summit and still no official notice from No10..?
Former Italian PM Renzi putting Boris Johnson and Matteo Salvini in same “populist” basket. He’s not alone in European circles in holding that opinion. Johnson government widely regarded with deep mistrust (excuse earlier typo!)
The UK and Italy have shown in the past few hours that our institutions are a serious thing, stronger than both Boris Johnson and Salvini. Parliaments 2 - Populists 0
Of course the EU also engaged with Boris Johnson because they believed that he - as a political figure - had a better chance of selling a deal back home to MPs than Theresa May ever had - BUT have a chat in EU circles .. /3
EU diplomat on today‘s Brexit discussion amongst representatives of EU 27+EU Commission:
„The EU is preparing for the triggering of Article 16 by the UK. There is consensus among EU that such an arbitrary and unjustified move by the UK will be met with a clear European response.”
Donald Tusk at end of EU summit: “The fate of
#Brexit
is in the hands of our British friends. We’re prepared for the worst and hope for the best. As you know, hope dies last”
French PM warns France may feel obliged to bar UK citizens from entering France if UK doesn’t introduce more stringent measures to contain
#coronavirus
Quote”We wl find it hard to accept on our territory British citizens who move freely in their own country +then come to France".
Macron responds to PMs spokesman saying ‚trade talks are over’. Macron: „The British have much more need of a post-Brexit deal than the EU. The EU is ready to continue negotiations. Our conditions are clear and well-known. It's now for the UK to choose if it wants a deal or not“
Nous avons le devoir de soutenir l’Afrique face à la pandémie. Notre initiative pour soutenir la recherche et rendre accessible à tous un vaccin se poursuit. Nous devons aussi mettre en œuvre une stratégie européenne pour l'investissement en Afrique.
Merkel says after 6 months of Germany having the EU presidency, during the
#coronavirus
crisis, she’s convinced that EU should work on having a health union
However much EU wants a post
#Brexit
trade deal with UK - and it does - it’s also mindful of the bigger picture -its international reputation. EU wants to be seen to be taking a hard line on Johnson gov attempt to rip up parts of Withdrawal Agreement NOT ONLY.. /1
What an honour to receive the
#charleswheeleraward
. Charles Wheeler set standards we journalists can only hope to emulate. Thank you so very much again.
The wonderful
@BBCkatyaadler
receiving the
#charleswheeleraward
at the
@UniWestminster
historic Regent street cinema. Well deserved award for her enormous contribution to journalism and her coverage of Brexit. An inspiration for our journalism students.
Another EU diplomat just now on Boris Johnson halting the legislative process: „He is clearly once again is putting a general election and becoming elected PM ahead of getting the
#Brexit
deal passed through Parliament.”
Then again, if he did keep U.K. close to EU, then Brexit-related divisions between NIreland and the rest of UK would diminish as the EU need for controls/checks/paperwork to keep an eye on what’s coming in or going out of their single market/customs territory would decrease /7
In a separate development linked to the Russia crisis: More and more EU countries now saying they’d support ejecting Russia from the global financial transactions network SWIFT - despite the impact that may well have on their own economies /3
Italy - one of the EU members most opposed to the idea (bc of huge reliance on Russian gas supplies and business ties) says it’s now accepts the idea. Leaving Germany as the most conspicuous blocking power BUT Berlin is coming under a lot of pressure to change its tune .. /4
‘Young people’ - are you tired of journalists like me talking about what we believe to be your opinions/your voice?? Make yourself heard and register for the EU elections. It’s easy to do but not much time. Closing date to register: 7 May
Every election is determined by those who show up.
No matter how you vote, it's time for young people to register and turn out in this year’s European Elections. It's time to
#VoteForYourFuture
.
REGISTER TO VOTE ➡️
SUPPORT US ➡️
An honour
#WFTVAwards
! Thank you so very much. What an event: loads of truly inspiring speeches plus I got to sit next to the completely fabulous Angela Rippon.
#thrilled
EU Chief negotiator Michel Barnier says no more renegotiations whatever happens in Westminster. Just now he said: „If Britain wants an orderly exit – which is far better than a disorderly exit – then this is the only possible agreement.“
Ok so in English it’s ‘have your cake and eat it’ in German it’s about picking raisins and I’ve just learned the Spanish phrase to want ‘flowers and cream’ .. Whatever it is, most in the EU think the UK is at it again regarding the
#Brexit
deal ..
Ireland’s Foreign Minister says progress in EU-UK trade talks “has not been good”. Adds: unless there is significant progress soon then both sides will reach “yet another crisis point in the Brexit negotiations, which from the Irish point of view is very, very serious”
#Brexit
/1
Today EU country after EU country is closing its airspace to Russia. Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland, Germany and Belgium made the announcement in the last couple of hours. The move is expected to be formalised on an EU-wide level this afternoon
Jean Claude Juncker quoted all over UK media as saying - “there will be no extension” BUT this is said a) To help Boris Johnson sell a deal back home in the UK that the EU has no appetite to renegotiate once again .. /1
MPs saying “Let’s get Brexit done by 31st October” are being disingenuous. EXIT bit may get done by 31st but all-important, likely-to-be-politically painful trade negotiation trade offs (fishing rights, work visas, U.K. ability to do other trade deals) will only just start /12
Ex-MI6 chief also says here👇that the UK’s current security co-op with EU was largely designed by Britain but, he says, it would be erased by a no deal Brexit, meaning both sides would have to redesign co-op from scratch but with U.K. as an outsider ‘third country’
The UK's security arrangements will have to "start again with a blank sheet of paper" if there's a no-deal Brexit says ex-MI6 chief Sir John Sawers
#r4today
Crowds demonstrating outside Greek court react as far right Golden Dawn is found guilty of running a criminal organisation under the guise of a political party. Crowd chants « Nazis belong in prison « 👇
#GoldenDawn
La foule exulte à l’annonce du verdict.
Les membres d’Aube Dorée sont reconnus coupables pour constitution et direction d’une organisation criminelle.
#GDtrial
Sweden - held up as an example by those who deem
#coronavirus
lockdown unnecessary - is now concerned by rising number of deaths in care homes. NB Overall number of
#COVID
ー19 recorded deaths in Sweden is around three times as many as those recorded by Nordic neighbours combined
I hate to be the thrower of cold water but when it comes to new UK proposals, whatever they might be, if PM moves towards EU position on customs, he’s likely to lose most/all DUP +ERG support. New deal must be agreed not only by PM + EU but also by majority of MPs /1
BREAKING: Angela Merkel has unexpectedly announced cancellation of Easter 5-day shutdown made public yesterday. She said that decision had been a mistake
#covid
/1
Macron in full
#Brexit
bad cop mode as he arrived at the EU leaders summit. He said : « on no account will our fishermen be sacrificed for Brexit. We didn’t choose Brexit, the British people did. So preserving our fishermen’s access to the UK’s waters allows a good compromise»/1
European Commission President says the EU has repeatedly told U.K. “Fair competition is pre-condition to getting privileged access to single market”
#Brexit
Switzerland has voted to keep EU’s freedom of movement rules. Switzerland is not an EU member and polls suggest majority prefer to retain sovereignty over laws and borders BUT most voters opted today to keep ties with EU (economic benefits)👇
France’s Jr Europe Minister this morning on Internal Market Bill: “I'm telling the British it won't work.. I hope this is a tactic and it will stop, it is a bad tactic. And it was demonstrated last week that we (EU) are not divided or weak”
#Brexit
„We are not going to be a client state. We are not going to compromise on the fundamentals of having control over our own laws,“ says chief UK negotiator trade talks with EU in
@mailonSunday
interview which -in Brussels- feels v much aimed at UK audience /1
I’m being briefed by a senior source that when the PM stood in front of the 27 EU leaders at summit yesterday “it was almost as if she wanted them to press the button (of a no deal
#Brexit
) ..