Breaking: result of yesterday’s #Brexit FTA deal vote in the European Parliament announced - it’s been approved.

The post-Brexit trading agreement will now switch from provisional to full application. Nothing fundamentally changes, but now we know FTA won’t suddenly disappear.
UK reaction from David Frost: “Today's vote brings certainty and allows us to focus on the future"

EU reaction from VDL: "Faithful implementation is essential"
From yesterday's EP debate it was clear MEPs aren't happy about approving this agreement while they believe the UK government isn't honouring the terms of its divorce deal regarding Northern Ireland.

But they held their noses and voted for the FTA. Why?
It became clear the vote delay wasn't putting pressure on Johnson to stick to his Northern Ireland commitments. But it was causing uncertainty for businesses.

UK never thought any EP threat to reject it was credible.

Provisional application was set to expire again this week.

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More from @DaveKeating

27 Apr
After repeated delays in light of Johnson’s threats not to honour the divorce deal in N Ireland, the EU Parliament will today vote to ratify #Brexit FTA deal. It will then switch from provisional to in force.

Here’s what @EPPGroup, the largest party in EU, has to say about it:
I've heard from several MEPs who want to continue delay (and extending provisional application) until they have guarantees Johnson will respect the divorce deal he designed and signed in January 2020.

But they're under pressure from Commission & Council to end this delay.
Reality is there won't be certainty any time soon about UK's intention to honour the divorce deal commitments. And as long as the deal isn't ratified, uncertainty for businesses remains.

Given the circumstances, most MEPs seem to feel they have no choice but to ratify today.
Read 8 tweets
26 Apr
President @VonDerLeyen has strong words about #SofaGate in a discussion at EU Parliament - while President Michel is sitting next to her (he has still not really apologised for remaining seated in Ankara).

"This just shows us why we need more women in positions of power" (1/4)
"I am the first woman to be president of the European Commission," says VDL.

"I am the president of the European Commission and this is how I expected to be treated when visiting Turkey two weeks ago - like a Commission president. But I was not." (2/4)
"I cannot find any justification for what I was treated in the European treaties," says VDL.

"So i have to conclude that it happened because I am a woman. Would this have happened if I had worn a suit and a tie?" (3/4)
Read 5 tweets
21 Apr
The Commission has today unveiled its proposal for taxonomy on what can count as a sustainable investment in the EU.

Campaigners are pleased to see fossil gas isn't on the list, but they're not happy to see forestry and bioenergy.

Background here: energymonitor.ai/finance/report…
However, gas is only off the list *for now*.

The proposal now goes to the EU Parliament and member states. The latter may add gas, and/or nuclear.

However the chances of nuclear being added have decreased after #Brexit, with loss of UK pro-nuclear vote.
energymonitor.ai/sector/power/b…
Countries in Eastern & Southern Europe want gas projects to count as sustainable investments because it can be a transition or partner to renewables.

France's economy minister has vowed to get nuclear on the list. But without UK vote, numbers not good.
Read 4 tweets
19 Apr
EU foreign ministers summit over. High Rep @JosepBorrellF speaking now to press. He says the "over 150,000 Russian troops amassing at Ukraine's borders" is "very concerning".

He commends Ukraine for its restraint in not responding and urges #Russia to de-escalate the situation.
Borrell says the situation of jailed Russian dissident #Navalny is critical.

"The Russian authorities much grant him immediate access to the medical professionals that he trusts"

"Russian authorities are responsible for his safety and health, and they will be held accountable"
But, asked if the EU is preparing any new sanctions against #Russia because of #Navalny and #Ukraine developments, Borrell says no.

"Things can change, but that's the situation," he says.
Read 5 tweets
14 Apr
Belgian PM @AlexanderDeCroo announces a cautious relaxation of 'Easter pause' that saw schools, shops and hairdressers close again.

19 April
🏫 Schools reopen
🧳Travel ban ends

26 April
🛍️Shops reopen
💇‍♀️Hairdressers reopen

8 May
🍻 Maybe Horeca... (1/3)
A further reopening to how things were here before 31 October will depend on "vaccination milestones".

1st: When 7/10 of people over 65 have received 1st dose, bars & restaurants can reopen outside and curfew will end.

“We assume this moment will be around 8 May" says PM. (2/3)
2nd milestone: When almost all over-65s and vulnerable people have been vaccinated.

"This is expected in early June. From then on, events will again be possible and more will also be possible indoors.”

So gyms, theatres, indoor bars, clubs could maybe reopen early June. (3/3)
Read 4 tweets
14 Apr
President @VonDerLeyen announces 🇪🇺 has today hit the milestone of 100 vaccinations in the EU (pop 447m).

Of those, more than a quarter were 2nd doses. That means 27m Europeans fully vaccinated, 73m 1st dose only.

EU countries have received 126m vaccine doses as of yesterday.
Von der Leyen: "But as we can see with the announcement by #JohnsonandJohnson yesterday, there are many factors that can disrupt the planned delivery schedule of vaccines. It's therefor impant to act swiftly and adjust where possible"
Therefor, VDL says, EU has agreed with #BioNTechPfizer to speed up delivery. 50m vaccines originally foreseen for Q4 will come in Q2 starting now.

"I want to thank #BioNTechpfizer. It has proved to be a reliable partner, delivering on its commitments, responsive to our needs"
Read 6 tweets

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