European Union

Many in Britain are questioning the result of the Brexit referendum. A petition calling for a second referendum on EU membership has gathered more than three million signatures. The old have ruined the future of the young with their vote, some commentators argue. Others criticise that Brexit voters are being depicted negatively in the media.

The Turkish leadership has sought rapprochement with two states with which it was in conflict. A reconciliation agreement with Israel is aimed at ending the six-year freeze in diplomatic relations between the two countries triggered by an Israeli military operation against a Gaza aid flotilla in 2010. And in a letter to Putin Erdoğan expressed regret for the shooting down of a Russian fighter jet seven months ago. What is the goal of this new charm offensive?

A year ago, at the height of the Greek crisis, the government in Athens introduced capital controls to prevent a bank run which would lead to the banks' collapse. The controls have been eased but not entirely lifted. The Greek media are still at odds over their effectiveness.

We, the Heads of State or Government of 27 Member States, as well as the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, deeply regret the outcome of the referendum in the UK but we respect the will expressed by a majority of the British people. Until the UK leaves the EU, EU law continues to apply to and within the UK, both when it comes to rights and obligations.

Good afternoon. Today 27 EU leaders discussed the consequences of the British referendum for Europe. It was a calm and serious discussion, as it is a serious moment in our common history. Certainly one issue is clear from our debate. Leaders are absolutely determined to remain united and work closely together as 27.

We reconfirmed that Britain's withdrawal from the European Union must be orderly and there will be no negotiations of any kind until the UK formally notifies its intention to withdraw. We hope to have the UK as a close partner in the future. It is up to the British government to notify the European Council of the UK intentions to withdraw from the EU. Leaders made it crystal clear today that access to the single market requires acceptance of all four freedoms, including the freedom of movement. There will be no single market "à la carte".

We also discussed the fact that too many people in Europe are unhappy with the current state of affairs and who expect us to do better. Many recalled that for decades Europe was bringing hope and that we have a responsibility to return to that.

As you know it was a first exchange of 27 leaders after the British referendum and so it would be too early to draw conclusions. This is why we have started a political reflection on the future of EU with 27 states and will meet on 16 September in Bratislava to continue talks. Thank you.

EU leaders resume their meeting this morning with one conspicuous absentee. David Cameron is locked out of deliberations – the first time in more than 40 years that a UK prime minister has been excluded. Better get used to it.

Last night saw one of the more awkward dinners in recent diplomatic history, as Mr Cameron tried to explain the meaning of Brexit to his sombre European counterparts.

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The EU needs to update its long-term spending plan to cope with unforeseen crises such as mass migration, terrorism and youth unemployment, says the Budgets Committee in a resolution voted on Wednesday. The text is intended as an input to the forthcoming EU Commission’s proposal to revise the EU’s multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2014-2020. The update should also tackle the recurring backlog of overdue EU payments, and look beyond 2020, add MEPs.
Committee on Budgets

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

The EU needs to update its long-term spending plan to cope with unforeseen crises such as mass migration, terrorism and youth unemployment, says the Budgets Committee in a resolution voted on Wednesday. The text is intended as an input to the forthcoming EU Commission’s proposal to revise the EU’s multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2014-2020. The update should also tackle the recurring backlog of overdue EU payments, and look beyond 2020, add MEPs.
Committee on Budgets

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Kossowski
DFON
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