The UK has it’s very own problem after the Brexit vote and political establishment totally unprepared facing the economic consequences. PM May says Brexit negotiations will not be carried out in French. Tone between the UK and Brussels has toughened.
Basically, New Europe lacks the motivation to be part of western European values created after World War II to pursue peace. NATO under leadership of president Obama has sought confrontational policies toward Russia to cut economic ties with Europe. As Rumsfeld already said, military ties between the US and New Europe are the future.
The EU with old horse Junckers pulling the carriage with wheels running off.
○ CETA deal suffers defeat at the hands of Wallonians from Belgium
- Rejection by two of five regional governments in Belgium over the past week seemed to block the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA). In Belgium’s federal system, regions must agree.
But a closer listen to Magnette suggests something else: the search for a way out.
“We must say ‘no,’ to negotiate. Not a ‘no’ to scupper everything and set the cat amongst the pigeons, but ‘no’ to put us in a position of power that will allow us to improve social norms, environmental norms and to win more respect for public services,” he said.
More negotiation. Yes, you’ve heard this before. Another draft?
When Trudeau’s Liberals took over, CETA negotiations were supposed to have concluded. But they stalled during legal scrubbing.
It became apparent the only way forward was a rework of the investor-state dispute settlement clauses, something International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland said she was “happy” to do to make CETA more progressive.
It wasn’t enough.
○ Ukrainian president Poreshenko threatens Dutch to withdraw support for MH-17 accident investigation
- On September 23, Rutte said the country’s government is unlikely to ratify the association agreement between the EU and Ukraine, taking into account the results of the April referendum, in which the Dutch opposed this agreement. “I think we won’t ratify [the agreement],” he said, speaking in the parliament.
Due to the fact that, in accordance with the EU standards, before entering into force the agreement must be ratified by the government of each EU member state, Rutte expressed hope Ukraine will be able to continue negotiations with the other 27 EU countries.
Observers note that the Netherlands has the choice: either to ratify the association agreement, regardless of the plebiscite, or agree with the other EU countries that the agreement or some of its provisions will not apply to the Netherlands.
○ Europe divided as further economic sanctions for Russia fail
- Arriving at the summit in Brussels, the British prime minister had urged fellow leaders to press the Kremlin to stop its “appalling [and] sickening” atrocities in Syria.
May told her counterparts over dinner that Russia posed a challenge to Europe’s democratic values and institutions, according to Downing Street sources.
But after talks finished around midnight a reference to sanctions in the summit communique was dropped and replaced with a more vague statement: “The EU is considering all available options should the current atrocities continue.”
Italy’s prime minister, Matteo Renzi, told reporters “it was difficult to imagine” this would mean further sanctions against Russia.
The tense debate ranged widely over tensions between the EU and Russia. Leaders discussed airspace violations, disinformation campaigns, cyber attacks and “interference” in the political processes of the EU, said Donald Tusk, the European council president.
“It is clear that Russia’s strategy is to weaken the EU,” he said. “Increasing tensions with Russia is not our aim. We are simply reacting to steps taken by Russia.”
○ Royal Navy sends ships to shadow Russian fleet heading for British Channel