British PM sticks to red line on EU migrants
British leader Theresa May has repeated that the UK wants free trade, but not free immigration with the EU, while speaking warmly of “friends, allies”.
British leader Theresa May has repeated that the UK wants free trade, but not free immigration with the EU, while speaking warmly of “friends, allies”.
At the ALDE pre-summit meeting, Syria, Russia, the Turkey migration deal, the refugee crisis and Brexit were among the topics discussed. But Ceta was the big issue.
Chairwoman of the inquiry committee, Kathleen Van Brempt, says that the car approval system needs to be reformed.
Canada said on Friday that the free-trade agreement with the EU had failed and that the bloc was "not capable" to conclude agreements.
Poland is putting pressure on the European Commission to rule whether a new Russian gas pipeline conforms with EU law.
Belgian media RTBF reports last minute talks between Canada's trade minister Chrystia Freeland and the government of Wallonia on an EU trade deal have failed to produce any results. Wallonia is blocking ratification of the EU deal with Canada, over social and environmental concerns.
Witnesses in German parliamentary hearing say they lacked the evidence to prove emissions cheating, and that other ministries were susceptible to car industry lobbying.
European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker told reporters that he hoped the outstanding issues over a free trade deal between the EU and Canada would be settled in the next few days, saying "I hope that we will be able to see an agreed settlement in a few days, with the Wallonians, our friends". The Belgian region of Wallonia is blocking ratification over social and environmental concerns.
The Belgian region's parliament debated on Friday whether to back the EU-Canada trade agreement, while the region's leader says that difficulties remain.
Romania has dropped its opposition to the Canada-EU free trade deal after securing a gradual lifting of visa requirements for citizens going to Canada. "We are in a position to withdraw our reservations against Ceta," president Klaus Johannis said Friday in Brussels. Visa requirements will be lifted, starting May 1 next year for those already with a visa, and from 1 December all Romanians can travel visa free.
Wallonia's president Paul Magnette has said "difficulties remain" that could stop the Belgian region backing Ceta, the EU-Canada trade deal. He told the Walloon parliament that the settlement mechanism, "a symbolic and extremely important politically issue", is still a problem. But admitted he did not have much room to manoeuvre because the EU and Canada still intend to sign the deal next week.
Polish women are marching again this Sunday and Monday. They could succeed where the opposition, the European Commission and other protests failed, and redraw Poland's political map.
Age and poor education factor into high obesity rates, according to the EU's statistical office Eurostat. On Thursday, it released figures showing Malta is the most obese country, relative to other EU states.
Peter Sheridan, head of peace-building charity Cooperation Ireland, says Brexit could affect the stability of Northern Ireland, and relations with the Irish republic. "I don't want to overstate it but there is a danger that ultimately this could lead to some civil unrest particularly in relation to the border," said Sheridan, according to state broadcaster RTE. Voters in Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU.
Thursday's European Central Bank’s governing council meeting has left interest rates on hold and reaffirmed plans to extend the €80 billion quantitative easing programme to March 2017, or beyond if needed. ECB president Mario Draghi said in a press conference that “an abrupt end” to quantitative easing is “unlikely”.
Following revelations of misuse of EU party funds, support for Danish People's Party has dropped 3.1% over the past month to 18.5%, according to an Epinion poll, published by Danish public broadcaster DR. The same poll also showed, for the first time, that an emerging far-right party could enter parliament with 2.7% support.
The Spanish Constitutional Court on Thursday ruled that a ban by the Catalan parliament on bullfighting was unconstitutional. According to the court, it did not have the authority to do so. Bullfighting is part of Spanish heritage, the court argued, but it is a controversial and divisive issue. Moreover, the case once again illustrated the tensions between the Catalan and national government.
EU Council president Donald Tusk said following the first day of the EU summit that government leaders discussed the issue of how EU countries can divide migration challenges in a fair way. He said "We will consider concrete proposals in December, but the important thing today was to agree that there would be no solidarity a la carte," adding that the number of irregular African migrants remained "far too high".
At her first EU summit, the British prime minister showed her colleagues that she intended to play an active role in European affairs despite Brexit.
Italy has shielded Russia and Syria from a threat of sanctions, amid warnings by some leaders that Russia was trying to “weaken” the EU.