Peter Ricketts
@LordRickettsP
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Former diplomat, Chair @LordsEUCom, Vice-Chair @RUSI_org, Special Envoy for loan of Bayeux Tapestry, Hon Pres Normandy Memorial Trust. Views strictly my own!
Joined February 2016
Thrilled to be the UK Special Envoy for the loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to @britishmuseum, and of treasures from their collection to France. The first time this unique artwork has been back to Britain since it was embroidered here almost 1,000 years ago! /
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Well @SophyRidgeSky … there is a bit of a difference between storing it in a warehouse in Bayeux and bringing it to Britain for the first time in 950 years and letting millions of people see it!.
Eagle eyed producer @OllieWJSmith has spotted the Bayeaux Museum is closing for renovation from September . So is the loan of the Tapestry basically a storage solution? 🧐😂.
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Not clear. The timing is significant with increased interest in the relevance of the UK and French deterrents to wider European security. It certainly suggests closer consultations. If it also involves discreet coordination of submarine deployments we quite rightly won’t be told!.
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The new declaration adds ‘As such, any adversary threatening the vital interests of Britain or France could be confronted by the strength of the nuclear forces of both nations.’ Coordination was implicit in the 1985 statement, now it’s more explicit. What are the implications?.
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This goes for the first time further than the classic 1985 statement that the two countries ‘do not see situations arising in which the vital interests of either party could be threatened without the vital interests of the other also being threatened’.
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Most interesting point: ‘a declaration will state for the first time that the respective deterrents of both countries are independent but can be co-ordinated, and that there is no extreme threat to Europe that would not prompt a response by both nations.’
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Glad to help!.
"That's going to be a humongous challenge.". The Bayeux Tapestry is returning to the UK more than 900 years after its creation. @amolrajan asks the British Museum's chair of trustees, George Osborne, about the logistics of bringing it over. #R4Today.
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In return @britishmuseum will lend some of their most precious treasures including the Sutton Hoo hoard and many of the Lewis chessmen. Cultural diplomacy in action. The Tapestry will be on show Sept 26 to May 27. Not to be missed!
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Probably made in Canterbury in the decade after 1066, the work brings vividly to life not just the battle of Hastings, but daily life: what people wore, how they cooked, their ships and buildings. It speaks directly to children since it’s like reading a 70 metre comic strip. 2/
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It was a powerful and heartfelt speech, not as high-flown as some he has given, but urgent and passionate, with some deft touches of humour. And it got a very positive response in the room, frequently interrupted by applause.
President Macron: "We will never accept the theory that might is right. The Europeans will never abandon Ukraine, never."
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There’ll be plenty of policy as well at the Summit on 10 July: defence cooperation (including the role of our nuclear deterrents in a Europe taking more responsibility for its defence), Middle East, China, migration and more. There may be a Trump-shaped elephant around as well!.
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This first French SV for 17 years and first by a European leader since Brexit is full of symbolism, and a chance to celebrate the deeper ties which endure below the headlines: history (there’s plenty between our old nations) culture, science, sport, family ties. 2/.
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Looking forward to hearing @EmmanuelMacron address Parliament at 1600. He’s a master at finding the words for the occasion (remember his tribute to the late Queen?). A State Visit is more than pageantry: it’s an occasion to strengthen the foundations of 🇫🇷🇬🇧friendship 1/
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Thanks for quoting me @PedderSophie and for this excellent curtain-raiser!.
Emmanuel Macron will beat Donald Trump to a state visit to the U.K. next week. The relationship between France and the U.K. hasn’t been this close and constructive for nearly a decade .🇫🇷🇬🇧. @LordRickettsP @Mij_Europe .
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RT @LordsEUCom: Our Chair @LordRickettsP spoke at the COSAC meeting of chairs of European Affairs committees in Copenhagen today, highlight….
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Good to be in Copenhagen for the first parliamentary meeting of the Danish EU Presidency @eu2025dk. Meeting in the Folketing carries strong echoes of Borgen, though our proceedings may not be quite so dramatic!
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Today at 3.30 @LordsEUCom will scrutinise @NickTorfaen and @SDoughtyMP on the prospects for UK-EU relations. How far and fast will these improve as a result of the 19 May Summit? Promises to be interesting! Watch live here 👇
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This from @philipstephens makes a strong case for Starmer’s new realpolitik approach to defence but adds the importance of soft power and principles.
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There’s some exceptional journalism in @FT today. In this long read from @fromTGA I particularly liked the insight that the structural challenge for Europe is that the policies it needs are increasingly European but the politics are national. And….
Where is Europe in this Year 4 of a new historical era? Will liberal or anti-liberal Europe prevail? What will become of the Zeitenwende? We have until 2029 to shape the answers. My weekend essay for the @FT @ftweekend (£, I'm afraid)
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