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It is true that, at the beginning of EVS, it seemed to be the beginning of a non-political drama: the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that a member of her team had been approved for COVID-19 and soon left the meeting. , despite a negative test.
Furthermore, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki did not come to Brussels due to contact with the infected person. Poland was represented on the EVS by the Czech Prime Minister. The head of EU Diplomacy, Josep Borrell, was also absent from the meeting due to the quarantine.
And on the second day, the Prime Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin, also left the EVS urgently, having previously interacted with her country’s parliamentarian, who had a positive COVID-19.
“Launch” the British and European Parliament
In addition to the ghosts of the coronavirus, EVS developed according to plan. As planned, the meeting began with an interview with David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, and was immediately “off the ground”.
At the beginning of the debate on relations with the British, mobile phones and tablets were taken away from all EU leaders. As the Brussels journalists joked (or maybe not), the British intelligence service MI6 did not listen to what was not needed.
As you know, the negotiations between the Council of Europe and the European Parliament on the EU budget and the Recovery Fund have stalled with both sides accusing each other of unwillingness to compromise. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who currently holds the EU presidency, has said she is “disappointed” and said that the 27 EU leaders have unanimously approved the financial plans and that the approval of the European Parliament is a “process. technical”.
A strong response from the British was also agreed upon due to the also stalled negotiations of the EU-UK trade agreement. Not only did the EVS conclusions not deviate from sensitive issues such as equal treatment, governance and fisheries, but they also ordered the European Commission to draw up a Plan B, that is, if an agreement was not reached with the British .
A reaction soon came from outside the English Channel: “very disappointed.” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he should prepare for a “disagreement”.
“If an agreement cannot be reached, companies will be challenged not only by customs duties, but also by product certification, labeling declarations, likely queues at customs, etc.,” commented the Ministry of Economy and Innovation of Lithuania in DELFI.lt.
However, Lithuania would not suffer as much in the absence of an agreement as, for example, Germany or the United Kingdom itself.
“The Lithuanian company has extensive commercial experience with the United Kingdom, so those exporters who see opportunities, not just threats, will be able to adapt quickly and thus obtain a competitive advantage,” says the ministry.
By the way, an interesting detail: at the beginning of the debate on relations with the British, mobile phones and tablets were withdrawn from all the EU leaders. As the Brussels journalists joked (or perhaps not), the British intelligence service MI6 would not listen to what is not needed.
Different countries emphasize their different starting positions, so other leaders and I have emphasized the need to first conduct a thorough analysis of each country and think of a cost or burden distribution mechanism to be fair and adequate.
Gypsy Naus Gda
A new opportunity for Lithuania?
Over dinner, EU leaders discussed plans to increase the emissions reduction target by at least 55%. Until 2030 However, there has not been a serious debate on this issue: it has been agreed that an agreement must be reached at the December EVS.
Gypsy Naus Gda
“Different countries emphasize their different starting positions, so I and other leaders emphasize the need to first conduct a thorough analysis of each country and think of a cost or burden sharing mechanism so that it is fair, adequate and really helps let green technologies spread among groups. On the EU territory “, – said President Gitanas Nausėda on Friday morning, adding that Lithuania receives an excellent opportunity to use” financial resources “
Thursday’s EVS ended unconventionally very early, with EU leaders scattered around hotels before midnight after speaking and agreeing on COVID-19 findings.
Sanctions and solidarity
On Friday morning, EU leaders had a simpler agenda: relations with Africa and other foreign policy issues. True, it was then that Lithuania presented its proposals for a new package of sanctions against Belarus and EU support for the post-Lukashenko era.
“Those measures include not only the sanctions that we are talking about and which are necessary, but also support for Belarusian society in the post-Lukashenko period. We are not only the initiators, but we are also determined to actively participate in the preparation. of the details of this program to help civil society and the Belarusian economy move forward, “said G. Nausėda on Friday morning.
Those measures include not only the sanctions that we are talking about and which are necessary, but also the support for Belarusian society during the post-Lukashenko period.
Gypsy Naus Gda
He also noted that Belarus is using the “divide and conquer” tactic to attack Lithuania and Poland, but the EU remains united.
In its conclusions, EVS expressed its solidarity with Lithuania and Poland.
EVS is also scheduled to speak about the Alexei Navaln poisoning on Friday. According to the president, Russia’s actions show that the EU must take political action. This week, the EU has already imposed sanctions on six top Kremlin officials and one body for poisoning a leader of the Russian opposition. However, the EVS findings only address a call for Russia to continue negotiations with Australia and the Netherlands in the case of the MH17 passenger cruise accident.
In its conclusions, EVS expressed its solidarity with Lithuania and Poland.
The main focus of the debate is likely to be on Turkey’s activities in the Mediterranean. Part of the conclusions of the EVS is also dedicated to this topic.
Before 2 pm The EVS has ended and the EU leaders have disbanded. Two more meetings are planned this year. A special can also be called if an agreement cannot be reached with the British. The only question is, will COVID-19 make them “live” or remote?
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