All articles tagged with #eu relations
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a UK-EU summit for November 20 to negotiate closer ties on youth mobility, food, and energy. He argues that these deals will boost economic growth and help tackle illegal immigration by restoring access to shared data. While Burnham commits to current Labour manifesto limits, he has not ruled out deeper integration, including potential EU rejoining, in future parliaments.
Hungarian parliament voted 139-51 to strip anti-LGBTQ provisions from the 2021 child protection law, a key step in reversing Viktor Orbán’s legacy. The move aligns with EU rulings but leaves other discriminatory laws intact.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has launched a major push to renegotiate the UK’s post-Brexit trade deal, arguing that the current status quo harms the economy and immigration control. Ahead of a November 20 summit in Brussels, Burnham claims Russian interference in the 2016 referendum, a statement that has sparked fierce political backlash. While he promises public sovereignty over any future decisions, critics argue he is undermining the legitimacy of the original vote.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signaled that reversing Brexit could be a policy option, stating that rejoining the European Union is 'possible' and that the current relationship is 'not good enough.' While he ruled out an immediate referendum, he suggested it could appear in a future election manifesto. This move has drawn sharp criticism from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who claims it will boost his party's support, while economists debate the economic costs and benefits of closer EU ties.
Canadian PM Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, a French territory 25 km off Newfoundland, marking the first official visit by a Canadian PM to the archipelago. The meeting, held on Sept. 20, 2026, aimed to deepen Franco-Canadian ties in energy, space, and climate amid rising tensions with the U.S. The leaders pledged to strengthen cooperation as Canada pursues EU associate membership and Europe seeks alternative energy sources, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Hungary’s new government has submitted a bill to repeal the 2021 law banning the 'promotion' of homosexuality to minors, a move aimed at complying with European Court of Justice rulings and unlocking frozen EU funds. Prime Minister Peter Magyar also announced plans to revise adoption laws to allow same-sex couples to adopt, reversing restrictions imposed under Viktor Orbán’s rule.
President Donald Trump announced the removal of a 10% tariff on Irish whiskey during the closing ceremony of the Irish Open golf tournament in Doonbeg, Ireland, on September 13, 2026. The decision, framed as a gesture of goodwill, follows a dinner discussion with golfers and Irish officials. This move levels the playing field for Irish distillers, who previously faced a competitive disadvantage against UK brands after the US eliminated tariffs on British whiskey in May. The tariff reduction was met with loud cheers from the crowd, signaling a potential shift in US-EU trade dynamics for the alcohol sector.
Thousands gathered in Belgrade for the military-style funeral of Ratko Mladić, the Bosnian Serb general convicted of genocide. While the Serbian government framed the event as private, state media praised him as a hero, drawing sharp condemnation from the EU and Bosnia. President Vučić, absent from the ceremony, defended the tribute as a rejection of Western bias, even as EU officials warned such glorification jeopardizes Serbia’s accession talks.
Ratko Mladić, the Bosnian Serb general convicted of genocide, was buried in Belgrade on Monday without state or military honors, despite earlier promises from Serbian officials. His return sparked a diplomatic crisis, with EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos canceling a visit and condemning the 'glorification' of the war criminal. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić rejected the criticism, calling it 'stupid,' while thousands of supporters gathered for the funeral. The incident has intensified calls for the European People’s Party to sever ties with Serbia’s ruling party.
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni rejected Donald Trump’s claim that she begged him for a photo at the G7, calling the remarks “completely made up.” Meloni said she and Italy never beg allies, and her foreign minister canceled a planned US trip in response. The clash adds to tense transatlantic dynamics as EU leaders convene on other topics like defence spending and offshore return hubs; coverage also notes reactions from Meloni allies and ongoing EU summit discussions.
Swiss voters rejected the far-right SVP’s plan to cap the population at 10 million by 2050 (54.79% against, 45.21% in favour) with a 58.86% turnout. The proposal would have forced limits on family reunification and residency and risked withdrawal from the EU free-movement agreement if the cap was approached, prompting warnings from the government and business groups about harm to the economy and EU ties.
Swiss voters rejected a right-wing proposal to cap the population at 10 million by 2050, with about 54% voting against and 59% turnout, in 25 of 26 cantons reporting. The result preserves Switzerland’s bilateral path with the EU and keeps immigration concerns on the political agenda, avoiding a potential clash over free movement as the population nears 10 million.
Early results show Swiss voters rejected a far-right bid to cap the population at 10 million by 2050, avoiding the mandatory restrictions on asylum, family reunification and residency permits that would have followed if population neared 9.5 million, and likely preserving Switzerland’s EU free-movement relationship.
Swiss voters will decide on a right-wing initiative to cap population growth at 10 million by 2050. Polls point to a narrow rejection; supporters say it would ease housing, public services and environmental strain, while opponents warn it would damage the economy and jeopardise EU ties by ending free movement if the cap is reached. The measure could trigger limits on asylum and family reunification if the population nears 9.5 million, and at 10 million could threaten major EU trade agreements, with critics warning it could hurt exports and worsen labor shortages across sectors reliant on foreign workers.
Pro‑European reformist Péter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary’s prime minister, marking the end of Viktor Orbán’s 16‑year rule after a landslide victory for Magyar’s Tisza party. He vows to roll back Orbán‑era systems, suspend state media broadcasts, and rebuild Hungary’s ties with the EU to unlock billions in frozen funds, while overseeing a parliament with a historic share of women and new leadership that signals a shift in Hungary’s political landscape.