NEW - Four people have been arrested by Belgian police as part of an investigation into a Gulf country's attempts to influence decisions of the European parliament. Sixteen places searched this morning and €600,000 seized - statement from federal prosecutor. For months, police have suspected a Gulf country of trying to influence European parliament decisions "by paying large sums of money or offering large gifts" to people with political or strategic positions in parliament - prosecutor's statement.

EU officials are watching the contest to be the UK’s next PM and the mood is pretty pessimistic.

Relations are at a low point, but could still get worse - short thread.

theguardian.com/politics/2022/… This contest has not gripped Brussels like the 2018/19 parliamentary turmoil over Brexit - “We don’t care anymore” in the words of one senior diplomat.

But those who follow UK relations closely are not encouraged.

Zelenskiy's speech to EU leaders is extraordinary in so many ways, not least the namecheck of every single EU member state.

"We believe in the European Union and we believe that Germany will also be with us at the crucial moment. " A few lines that stood out:

"The Netherlands stands for the rational so I know we will find common ground."

"Italy thank you for your support."

"Belgium we will find arguments."

Scene inside the European parliament in Brussels, ahead of video speech by Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Standing ovation for Ukraine's ambassador to the EU. Interpreter was close to breaking down as he spoke Volodymyr Zelenskiy's words to the European parliament about attack on Kharkiv's Freedom Square. "This is the largest square in Europe. Can you imagine two cruise missiles hit this Freedom Square, dozens killed".

EU sanctions on the table: 27 people, entities involved in DPR and LPR recognition, not Vladimir Putin. Plus 351 members of Russian Duma that voted in favour and Russian military commanders leading mission.
Mirroring EU Crimea sanctions on regions.
Supported by 26 countries... Hungary does not (yet) support sanctions; HU diplomats say need to discuss with capital. EU diplomat: "It was to be expected but Orban has now shown his true colours... this begs the question where Orban's true loyalty is, to Moscow or his European allies."

The UK vaccine rollout is the big reason why Brexit Was Worth it, according to Boris Johnson in @DailyMailUK ."We were the first country in the world to license a vaccine.. And that was at least partly because of Brexit."

Often repeated, but not true - thread The UK was subject to EU rules 100% during the first phase of the vaccine rollout.

Three important facts about those rules.

1. EU joint procurement schemes are voluntary. Member states can choose to participate. The UK chose not to.

David Frost/Brandon Lewis @Policy_Exchange event summed up

It was @irishtimes article redux.

‘We never thought Irish protocol would be so disruptive to GB/NI trade.'
‘EU not being “pragmatic and flexible” seems to be operating protocol in “intransigent way”..
. Gov to outline approach to protocol to parliament before summer recess.
Frost said UK had put forward proposals where “we have not been able to engage with [EU] yet”.
Criticised what sees as EU’s slow progress in sharing texts.
Unilateral action/A16 not ruled out.

The UK has a trust problem in the EU. Not a revelation, but worth restating.

Here is Maroš Šefčovič speaking @EUUKForum. “Trust is a two-way speech....We need to be able to trust the UK to live up to its international obligations.” 2. The trust deficit has deepened after the David Frost/Brandon Lewis op ed. EU sources baffled and disappointed by the piece, which they see as containing mistakes and a failure to acknowledge what the EU has done.

Brits hoping to travel to the EU… it’s complicated.
Those vaccinated with Indian-manufactured AZ may not be able to use EU vaccine passport, because Covishield not authorised by European Medicines Agency. BUT EU governments cd use WHO...
theguardian.com/world/2021/jul… emergency use list, which does include Covishield. So Indian-made AZ jab (and Chinese Sinovac) then ok. BUT the UK does not yet have agreement with EU linking NHS Covid Pass to EU Passport. Talks ongoing. BUT even if they succeed...

Don’t expect a breakdown or breakthrough from Boris Johnson’s meeting with Ursula von der Leyen today. But talks will almost certainly intensify.

Because time is running out and nobody wants to walk away - a thread on Brexit and deadlines.

theguardian.com/politics/2020/… The UK and EU have been negotiating a post-Brexit deal since March. Seven months and nine rounds later, talks are stuck on the same problems: level playing field, fish and dispute settlement. Now add new spanner in the works of UK internal market bill.
2.

Now official: the European commission is taking legal action against the UK over the internal market bill.

Ursula von der Leyen says provisions are "breach of the obligation of good faith laid down in the withdrawal agreement". If adopted "full contradiction" of Irish protocol The UK government shouldn't be surprised by EU legal action on IM bill - the EU executive launches infringement proceedings against countries not upholding the law.

But judging from London reporting, No 10 did not initially expect such a strong reaction.

The European commission is abandoning the idea of mandatory refugee quotas. The long-awaited proposals for reforming the EU ‘Dublin’ system asylum rules are out. They are not a reheat of 2015/16, nor the “entirely new architecture” billed - thread. Instead of mandatory relocation, EU member states can choose between taking in refugees or asylum seekers rescued from the Mediterranean, OR taking charge of returning migrants denied asylum to their home countries.

Is the government backing down on the “food blockade” row?

How a boring, technical issue became whipped up into jingoistic nonsense - thread. Background: last weekend Boris Johnson infuriated Brussels when he described the fact the UK had not yet been listed by the EU on a food safety list as an ‘approved third country’ as a “blockade”.

Michel Barnier briefed EU ambassadors on the latest episode of Brexit today, telling them he still believes a deal can be done. EU diplomats continue to hope that is true, while expressing frustration and sadness about Boris Johnson's breach of trust - thread. The EU has settled on a two-track approach. Barnier will keep the talks going despite the internal market bill furore and countdown to EU’s end-of-month deadline. EC vice president Maros Šefčovič is overseeing that process and legal consequences.

From Brentry* to Brexit, fishing rights have always been a thorny issue in 🇬🇧 🇪🇺relations. Here is my piece on fifty years of arguing about fish 🎣 🐟 theguardian.com/politics/2020/… * Brentry, I know. Ugly word, but couldn't resist.

After last night's Brexit bombshell, the EU wants to play things cool.
*Regular reminders, latest from Ursula von der Leyen, that withdrawal agreement is international law and prerequisite for trade deal.
*Talks go on: 'we are being constructive'
theguardian.com/politics/2020/… More of this from UK relations lead MEP @davidmcallister : proper implementation of WA “a litmus test of the UK government’s willingness to honour a legally binding international agreement.. [and] a precondition for building our future partnership".

Michel Barnier brings out his "favourite slide" @iiea speech to make a point about the level playing field.

"The potential to distort trade using subsides is clearly

The area where he sees "lack of engagement".
significant." @iiea Problem area two for Barnier is fisheries: "The UK has not shown any willingness to make any compromises on fisheries." He says no new legal texts have been tabled. "Where the EU has shown openness to possible solutions the UK has shunned our offers."

There are 126 days until the UK leaves the EU economic system for good. The conventional wisdom is that a deal (another oven-ready triumph?) will be agreed at the last minute.
Yes it can happen, but the risks of no-deal are real - thread.
theguardian.com/politics/2020/… 2. Michel Barnier and his team are very gloomy about the state of talks. They had hoped the British would use the summer to respond to their openings for compromise on state aid and fisheries. It didn’t happen.

Svetlana Tikhanovskaya tells MEPs ‘“we will not relent” - human rights groups appeal to UN following “widespread and endemic” torture - the EU readies sanctions against Lukashenko regime.

Our latest on Belarus @Andrew__Roth

theguardian.com/world/2020/aug… @Andrew__Roth Human rights activists say they have evidence from more than 450 prisoners who were “beaten, humiliated and tortured" in police stations and jails. Others afraid to speak. “People are broken, afraid to leave the house even to go to the doctor,” one lawyer told @Andrew__Roth

EU rejects British plan for post-
Brexit return of asylum seekers.

Short story: The UK proposed a version of EU Dublin rules outside the EU.
Member states said no.

Longer story -
theguardian.com/politics/2020/… Background: Downing Street has briefed it’s going to tear up “inflexible and rigid” EU rules and make new return deals with neighbouring countries 'when we are completely free from Brussels'. One hitch. Nearly all those neighbouring countries are in the EU.

Brexit talks are back.

The UK thinks a deal “can be reached in September”. EU is sceptical it will happen that quickly, esp. w/o more movement from the British.

Expect shadow-boxing and stalemate in August. Autumn deal? Let’s see - thread The agenda.

Michel Barnier and David Frost dine tonight - the usual opener for these rounds. To be followed by two days of talks on all the key issues, with most time dedicated to level playing field, fisheries and criminal/judicial co-operation.

So far, so typical.