Greece’s decision to keep its borders shut to asylum seekers is widely supported among EU leaders, who fear a repeat of the 2015 migration crisis, when more than 1 million people arrived in Europe after the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, signalled that the doors were open to them. Austria’s chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, warned EU states… Continue reading Migrant Invasion of Europe Part 15
Tag: EU
Jul 2020. EU Coronavirus Talks on Day 4
July 2020. EU leaders have struck a deal on a huge post-coronavirus recovery package following a fourth night of talks. It involves €750bn (£677bn; $859bn) in grants and loans to counter the impact of the pandemic in the 27-member bloc. The talks saw a split between nations hardest hit by the virus and so-called “frugal”… Continue reading Jul 2020. EU Coronavirus Talks on Day 4
Migrant Invasion of Europe Part 14
On his return from Moscow, Erdoğan signalled there was no change in policy. “Our gates are open. The refugees will go as far as they can,” Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency quoted him as saying. Turkey has also announced it is sending 1,000 special operations police to prevent Greek authorities from returning people who manage… Continue reading Migrant Invasion of Europe Part 14
Brexit Part 14
EU member states are desperate to keep access to UK fisheries – but seven countries fumed at Michel Barnier over a key agreement on the issue. The EU is demanding the UK to keep its waters open to foreign vessels if it wants access to European markets. As Prime Minister Boris Johnson pushes to take… Continue reading Brexit Part 14
Brexit Part 13
The latest round of talks between the UK and EU on a post-Brexit trade deal have broken up early, with little progress once again apparently being made. The negotiating teams had been meeting in Brussels in what was the first in five week-long rounds of negotiations. They were also meeting face-to-face for the first time… Continue reading Brexit Part 13
Brexit Part 12
Boris Johnson’s official spokesman insisted: “We have completed our own proportionate and thorough assessment of the EU on time. “What we are doing is returning over 1,000 pages of questionnaires that were sent by the EU to the UK late. “These are straightforward assessments as we start from having similar rules and a history of… Continue reading Brexit Part 12
Brexit Part 11
Michel Barnier said in a statement: “As you know, the political declaration committed us to ‘best endeavours’ to finalise our respective assessments by the end of June. “The European Commission has therefore sent questionnaires to the UK, covering 28 areas where equivalence assessments are possible. So far, the UK has only answered four of these… Continue reading Brexit Part 11
Migrant Invasion of Europe Part 13
The EU has told migrants in Turkey that Europe’s doors are closed as Greek and Turkish police fired teargas at their shared border amid growing tensions over the plight of Syria’s refugees. In a blunt message, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said: “Don’t go to the border. The border is not open. If… Continue reading Migrant Invasion of Europe Part 13
Brexit Part 10
Boris Johnson has furiously hit back at the European Union, blaming Brussels for missing a key deadline in post-Brexit trade talks as the two sides continue to trade vicious blows amid increasing fears of a no deal conclusion. The UK missed Tuesday’s deadline to hand in 28 regulatory equivalency assessments to the EU relating to… Continue reading Brexit Part 10
Jun 2020. Brexit Talks
Boris Johnson’s government reiterated its opposition to extending trade talks with the European Union beyond the end of 2020, even as the deadlock in the negotiations increases the threat of a disruptive split. “It would be crazy to extend it,” Cabinet Office minister Penny Mordaunt said in the House of Commons on Tuesday, repeatedly saying… Continue reading Jun 2020. Brexit Talks