Comuniq.EU

Brexit plan shows EU nationals are to pay more to study in England

EU nationals living in the UK are being urged to use European elections next month to protest against a government proposal to make future students from the bloc pay more…

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Analysis – Europe’s new ally is Japan

If he hadn't been speaking Japanese, Prime Minister Shinzō Abe could easily have been mistaken for an EU leader. Visiting Brussels on Thursday to meet Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and…

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S&P and Fitch warn UK still faces no-deal Brexit risk

Ratings agencies S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings kept open the possibility of a further cut to Britain's credit status because of the continued risk of a no-deal Brexit, despite…

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(Analysis) From James Bond to Mr. bean – The evolution of Britain through Brexit

Owen Jones, a Guardian columnist analysis the shift the UK underwent following the Brexit saga, comparing it to two British 'stereotypes' created through TV and cinema. We spend far too…

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Trade talks dominate as EU and Japan hold annual summit

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council President Donald Tusk met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday at the 26th annual EU-Japan summit. DW reports that the leaders…

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Italy requests EU plan of action for new migrant wave from Libya

Italy's government has written to the European Union asking it to prepare a plan of action to address the risk of a new wave of migrants escaping from the armed…

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EPP leader Weber insists no EU membership for Turkey

Manfred Weber, the leader of the European People's Party (EPP), insisted that Turkey cannot become a member of the European Union, in an interview with Euronews. Weber, tipped to replace…

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EPP expected to remain the largest grouping after May elections… Farage’s Brexit Party to top EU elections in Britain

An alliance of pro-EU centre right, socialist and liberal parties would win an absolute majority in next month's European Parliament election, though eurosceptic groups will gain ground, a survey showed…

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The European Parliament approves strengthening of Frontex

The European Parliament adopted the proposal, piloted and negotiated by Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola, to reinforce the European Border and Coast Guard Agency with a standing corps of 10,000 border guards…

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EBA ends probe of Estonian, Danish regulators over Danske Bank

The European Banking Authority (EBA), the EU banking watchdog, terminated an investigation of financial regulators in Estonia and Denmark in relation to suspected money laundering activities by Danske Bank after…

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UK employees work the longest hours in the EU

The British work the longest hours in the EU, but are less productive than those in some other countries according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), a federation of trade…

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Whistleblowers given EU-wide high level of protection

Whistleblowers across the European Union have won greater protection under landmark legislation aimed at encouraging reports of wrongdoing. This is the first time whistleblowers have been given EU-wide protection.…

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UK cannot be treated as second category member if it takes part in EU elections- Tusk

European Council President Donald Tusk said the UK cannot be treated as a "second category" member of the EU if it ends up taking part in the elections. "One of…

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EU countries back copyright reform

EU member states have given the final approval for copyright reforms in a bid to overhaul its two-decade old copyright rules. The clearing of this final hurdle ensures artists…

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British Foreign Minister assures Japan on Brexit

British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt reassured Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that the British government was determined to avoid a no-deal exit from the European Union. Brexit has raised concern…

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Corporate Dispatch Europe Explained – The Week Ahead 15-19 April 2019.

Good morning, A quick glance at the main forthcoming events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings and other EU-related conferences and events. Events for the…

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Is Brexit showing that the current two-party system no longer serves the interests of the electorate?

Jeremy Corbyn is on course to sweep into No 10 after Theresa May failed to deliver on her promise to take the UK out of the EU by March 29, a…

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Hammond warns UK parliament very likely to consider new Brexit referendum

British finance minister Philip Hammond said it is very likely that the idea of a second Brexit referendum can be put before Britain’s parliament again although the government remains opposed…

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May says politicians have duty to complete Brexit

After being granted a Brexit reprieve by the European Union, British Prime Minister Theresa May urged British lawmakers to pause, reflect on the need for compromise and then fulfil their…

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Poland accused of breaking EU law

Poland was accused of breaking EU law after it lowered the judges' retirement age and failed to uphold the independence of its Supreme Court. Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS)…

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UniCredit risks EU antitrust fine

UniCredit is one of eight European banks that risk being fined by the European Commission for allegedly breaching EU competition rules, the Italian lender has said. The company said in…

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More companies leaving the UK for the Netherlands

As a consequence of Brexit, more companies are leaving the UK and looking to settle in the Netherlands. The companies want to move to the European continent so that they…

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Miriam Dalli makes it to Politico’s list of MEPs who mattered the most

As the European Parliamentary elections approach, Politico gives a look at the top 40 MEPs who mattered most during the last legislature between 2014 and 2019. The only Maltese MEP…

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EU and UK reach agreement on another Brexit extension

European Council president Donald Tusk has said the UK and the EU have agreed a "flexible extension" of Brexit until 31 October. Speaking after five hours of talks at…

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The five possible Brexit dates

Draft summit conclusions discussed by EU27 ambassadors Tuesday night ahead of Wednesday's summit, and seen by POLITICO, did not set a date for the length of the extension. That is the subject…

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EU parliament head Tajani says Europe split over Libya

Parliament President Antonio Tajani complained that France and Italy are divided over policy toward Libya despite the official position of EU unity stated by the bloc's foreign policy chief.…

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Merkel says possibility of a longer Brexit delay

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the European Union may well decide on a longer Brexit delay than the one sought by the British government, but it would be flexible…

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ECB looking into Swedbank’s Estonian operations

The European Central Bank (ECB) is looking into Swedbank's Estonian operations, Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter reported on Wednesday, citing an undisclosed source. Sweden is not part of the eurozone but…

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Biggest EU Parliament groups recovering but expected to take big hits in EU election polls

Over the last two months, the two biggest groups in European Parliament — the centre-right European People's Party (EPP) and centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) — have seen an upward…

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The fate of Brexit is now in the hands of 27 EU leaders

The U.K. is about to face a crucial crossroad in the Brexit saga and the country will have little say over its own fate. On Wednesday night, 27 prime ministers…

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Brussels and Beijing find common ground… declare summit a success

EU and Chinese officials meeting in Brussels on Tuesday proclaimed their summit as a win-win. European Council President Donald Tusk declared a "breakthrough" on some of the EU's major trade…

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Tusk offers Britain a conditional Brexit deadline extension till end of year

The chairman of European Union leaders Donald Tusk proposed on Tuesday to offer Britain an extension of the Brexit deadline by up to one year, with the option of leaving…

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No-Deal Brexit will not be an EU decision – Barnier

A no-deal Brexit will "never be the decision of the EU," the bloc's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said Tuesday. POLITICO says that his statement, made after briefing EU ministers attending the…

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Law which forces May to delay Brexit beyond April 12th preventing a no deal exit from the EU given Royal Assent

The Queen has formally granted Royal Assent to the Yvette Cooper’s EU Withdrawal Bill meaning it has now become law. Her Majesty approving the legislation means Theresa May is now…

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British government prepares groundwork to hold European elections

The British government has laid the groundwork that would enable it to participate in the European Parliament elections next month, should the UK still find itself in the EU by…

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EU’s goal is to protect the Belfast Agreement, peace in Ireland and the single market in case of a no deal Brexit

EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said whatever happens with Brexit the “EU will stand fully behind Ireland”. Meeting Taoiseach Leo Vardakar, Barnier said that the goal was to protect…

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One euro zone bank falls short of ECB capital requirements

An ECB presentation showed on Monday that one euro zone bank is falling short of the European Central Bank's capital requirements for 2019, meaning it will face restrictions on how…

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May’s last-ditch attempt to meet Macron and Merkel before emergency Brexit summit

British Prime Minister Theresa May will make a last-ditch attempt to request a second extension to Article 50 to avoid a no-deal Brexit. Theresa May will hold talks with France's…

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Commissioner Hogan insists ‘no-deal’ Brexit makes no sense

Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan said a 'no-deal' Brexit makes no sense and is the worst possible Brexit outcome. Hogan, who hails from Ireland, made the comments when asked about comments…

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Salvini calls for Turkey’s EU application to be definitively rejected

Deputy Italian Prime Minister and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini on Monday called for Turkey's application to join the EU to be definitively rejected. Salvini, who is also leader of the…

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Corporate Dispatch Europe Explained – The Week Ahead 8-13 April 2019

A quick glance at the main forthcoming events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings and other EU-related conferences and events. Events for the week of…

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Far-right parties from around Europe meet in Milan

Italy's Lega leader Matteo Salvini on Monday is holding a meeting in Milan of far-right parties from around Europe in the hope of forging an alliance of nationalists ahead of…

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Brexit Labour talks to continue on Monday

Jeremy Wright, Britain’s culture minister, said the government would continue to talk to the opposition Labour Party on Monday to try to find a solution to the Brexit impasse. In…

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Austria to extend border controls

Austria will extend its border controls for Hungary and Slovenia until at least November. In a letter written by the Austrian Interior, Minister Herbert Kickl, to the European Commission, he…

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China wants to work with EU on trade and climate change

As China and the EU gears up for this week's summit, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang wrote in a German newspaper saying China wants to work with the European Union…

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Romania laments brain drain

Eugen Teodorovici, Romanian Finance Minister, said the country's brain drain is undermining Romania's ability to compete on a European level and called on the European Union to do more to…

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May warns of no Brexit unless deal is agreed with Labour

British Prime Minister Theresa May has warned that Brexit could "slip through our fingers" unless a compromise deal can be reached with Jeremy Corbyn. Her comments come as she…

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After Brexit will it be Polexit’s turn

Leaders of the opposition European Coalition (KE) have warned that the ruling Eurosceptic PiS party could be planning a Polexit, Poland’s departure from the European Union. The warning was given…

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EU institutions organise exercise to test EU’s response for potential elections’ cybersecurity incidents

The European Parliament, the EU Member States, the European Commission and the EU Agency for cybersecurity (ENISA) organised an exercise to test the EU's response to and crisis plans for…

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‘European Union’ removed from new British Passports, despite there’s no Brexit yet

The UK government has started issuing British passports without the words “European Union” even though the UK remains a full member of the bloc. It removed the two words from…

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Brexit progress fades as Labour says May has failed to compromise

Theresa May’s prospects of cobbling together a cross-party majority to convince EU leaders to grant a short Brexit delay next week appear to be slipping away after Labour claimed she had failed…

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No-deal Brexit would have ‘significant negative consequences’ on EU fishing firms

Karmenu Vella, the European Union's Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner said on Friday the bloc was hoping to maintain reciprocal access to UK fishing waters after Brexit but…

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May asks for Article 50 extension to 30 June

British Prime Minister Theresa May has written to the European council president, Donald Tusk, asking for an extension to article 50 to 30 June. The move came as it…

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Caruana Galizia family and of Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak urge EU to support Kovesi for Chief European Prosecutor role

The Romanian website Business Review reported that in a letter published by Romanian MEP Cristian Preda on the social media, the families of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and Slovakian…

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Brexit: Tusk suggests 12-month delay

European Council President Donald Tusk proposed to the UK a 12-month "flexible" extension to its Brexit date. According to Tusk’s plan the UK could leave sooner if Parliament ratifies a…

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Marine Le Pen on the warpath with the EU

Ahead of May's European Parliamentary elections, Marine Le Pen, President of France's National Rally, told Euronews she wanted her National Rally party to be "a very large group defending nations…

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BBC to move some of its TV channels to either Amsterdam or Brussels

If the United Kingdom leaves the European Union with no deal in place, the BBC will move some of its television channels to either Amsterdam or Brussels. BBC director Tony…

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