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Gas attack overshadows Brussels conference on Syrian war

mer, 05/04/2017 - 11:55

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Catégories: European Union

Messy migration deals

mar, 04/04/2017 - 13:09

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The Italian government has taken the lead in dealing with the Libyans (whose fractured state makes the plural appropriate). It is part of the wider EU strategy aimed at stopping people coming to Europe while simultaneously reducing the number of deaths at sea.

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Catégories: European Union

Diplomacy rocks

lun, 03/04/2017 - 15:08

We cannot know for certain what Alfonso Dastis, Spain’s foreign minister, thought to himself on Sunday when he switched on the television and saw that Michael Howard, a former British minister, was talking about war to protect Gibraltar, but he might well have permitted himself a smile.

The past few days have been a diplomatic masterclass from Madrid.

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Catégories: European Union

(European People’s) Party animals

ven, 31/03/2017 - 12:52

There are not many places where Beethoven’s Ode to Joy is followed by Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family”. But the European People’s Party congress is not a normal event.

The majority of Europeans have probably not heard of the EPP. Those that have may associate it with the large centre-right grouping in the EU parliament, not the broader “family” of political parties that held its congress this week in Malta. The EPP’s president, Joseph Daul, is little known even in his native France.

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Catégories: European Union

From rule-maker to rule-taker

jeu, 30/03/2017 - 08:38

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A detailed letter was not strictly necessary. One diplomat explained that “We’re triggering Article 50 – suck it” would have sufficed. But the formal notification shed light on Theresa May’s strategy and expectations going into negotiation.

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Catégories: European Union

Trigger morning

mer, 29/03/2017 - 11:18

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Catégories: European Union

Brexit week, “Schulzzug” stalls and the black belt returns

lun, 27/03/2017 - 07:51

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Some say it is short – little more than three pages – others that it will run longer. Whatever it says, you have to feel sorry for the poor protocol people. Should Britain’s EU envoy walk or drive the 150 yards? Should there be an envelope? A commemorative photo? Some die-hard Remainers will be wishing he just gave it to the Belgian postal system for “safekeeping”.

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Catégories: European Union

Divisions on the road to Rome

ven, 24/03/2017 - 13:20

After a terror attack on London, the mood will be sombre in Rome tomorrow when EU leaders gather for a special summit to mark the 60th anniversary of the bloc’s founding treaty. The event has been billed as a show of unity among 27 countries that will remain in the bloc as Britain becomes the first country to leave. But last-minute wrangling over a political declaration on the EU’s future threatens to mar the ceremony.

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Catégories: European Union

Terror attack on Westminster

jeu, 23/03/2017 - 13:24

A grim day in London. It came on an unhappy anniversary in Belgium, which marked one year since terrorists killed 32 in Brussels. The attack near the Houses of Parliament resembled the one in Berlin on a Christmas market, which in turn was similar to the massacre in Nice. The French have suffered more than many. On Wednesday it was Britain’s turn.

The FT compiled eyewitness reports of the horrific scenes in one of the most heavily guarded parts of the capital.

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Catégories: European Union

Britain’s Dublin dilemma

mer, 22/03/2017 - 10:24

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Britain has a trade deficit with the EU in most sectors, apart from one: asylum seekers.

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Catégories: European Union

C’est parti

mar, 21/03/2017 - 08:20

Well it did not disappoint. There were dull moments and missed opportunities of course, and they could have spared us the policy lists. But when the French Five met they brought some biting put-downs, animated debate and flashes of passion. It was a worthy debate for a remarkable presidential race. The FT’s topline:

Finger pointing, innuendos and sarcastic remarks made for a lively first French presidential debate on Monday as the main candidates for France’s highest office clashed over Islam, the economy and the money scandals that have shaken the contest.

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Catégories: European Union

Security after Brexit: the rationale for London-Berlin defence deal

lun, 20/03/2017 - 08:18

The Brexit negotiation draws ever closer and, with it, the prospect of a battle royal over money and the new trading relationship between Britain and the EU. But don’t expect particularly sharp divisions over defence.

Stefan Wagstyl reports in the FT today that London and Berlin are planning a new defence cooperation deal soon after Theresa May launches Brexit, in a bid to reinforce the UK prime minister’s claim that she is not turning her back on Europe.

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Catégories: European Union

Merkel’s mission, Scotland told no, Birthday cake

ven, 17/03/2017 - 08:30

The snow storm that forced Angela Merkel to postpone her visit to see Donald Trump in Washington may prove a blessing for the German chancellor.

Instead of seeing the new US president on Tuesday, when the result of the widely-watched Dutch election was still uncertain, she will meet him today – safe in the knowledge that prime minister Mark Rutte, her conservative ally, has retained power and fought off the populist Geert Wilders.

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Catégories: European Union

Europhile surge, Labour collapse: What we learned from the Dutch elections

jeu, 16/03/2017 - 07:47

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The result sent the euro to a five-week high of $1.0746, after surging 1.2 per cent overnight. The Dutch vote on Wednesday was the first in a trio of European elections this year in which populist politicians have emerged as significant contenders. Analysts had predicted that a strong showing for Mr Wilders would bolster Marine Le Pen, leader of the French far-right, and the insurgent Alternative for Germany party.

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Catégories: European Union

A Spanish lesson for Scotland

mar, 14/03/2017 - 08:17

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Nicola Sturgeon’s bold move on Monday threatens to reopen a diplomatic dilemma that the Spanish government thought was dead and buried. Should a second referendum lead to a break-up of the UK, a new independent Scotland would request to stay inside (or instantly rejoin) the EU. For that, it would need the support of all remaining member states, including Spain.

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Catégories: European Union

Dutch election: Expect the unexpected

lun, 13/03/2017 - 10:59

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Dealing with riots in Rotterdam and being compared to the Nazis by the Turkish president was probably not how Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte expected to spend the final weekend before the Netherlands’ general election. But Dutch politics are rarely predictable.

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Catégories: European Union

Polish politics comes to Brussels

ven, 10/03/2017 - 11:15

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Catégories: European Union

Troublesome Turkey

mer, 08/03/2017 - 16:14

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Catégories: European Union

The trouble with taming populists

mar, 07/03/2017 - 16:04

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Populists cause political instability. It is not an original headline as far as Europe goes. But the novelty in Finland is that the populists are causing instability from within the government.

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Catégories: European Union

Fillon: hanging on

lun, 06/03/2017 - 10:28

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And yet. A few hours later Fillon was back on television, the most relaxed he has looked since the “fake jobs” scandal emerged. Withdraw? No way. He saw the difficulties, he said, but he was sure of one thing: “there is no alternative”. He would go on and on. The crowds were his validation. He had the primary votes, the legitimacy. His conscience was clear. Only he could decide to step aside; the party traitors could not force him out.

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Catégories: European Union

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