Britain can rejoin EFTA in order to access the EU’s single market - Norway

Britain can rejoin EFTA in order to access the EU’s single market - Norway

World Unknown   05:49

It has once again be emphasized that if all efforts to keep Brexit Britain in the EU single collapses, the UK could still be allow membership of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as a stop-gap measure.

Three member countries of EFTA: Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland have all indicated their readiness to welcome the UK into their organisation, which enjoys single market access, in the event of divorce proceedings with Brussels breaking down.

Though if such becomes the case, it would only be used as a transitory measure by the British government, due to the fact that EFTA member countries are made to adhere to EU free movement and some EU regulations.

This measure is made to also ensure that Switzerland and the other three members of the club, maintain their close friendship with the UK which is one of their major trading partner.

EFTA member states are permitted by to enter into trade deals with as many countries they want to enter trade deals with, which EU countries are not to do.

Therefore, if that becomes the situation, the British government would be able to have sufficient time to draw out a strategy for its future economic plan, to enter into a new trading talks with EU.

Liechtenstein's foreign minister Aurelia Frick in his address stated that: "Solutions to soften the landing should be available to us. When the EU is negotiating the divorce from the UK, it automatically means a divorce from the EEA-EFTA countries as well.

"We are not ordinary third countries, but the EU's closest partners and friends.”

According to Ms Frick EFTA countries were "not first thing on the EU's mind when dealing with Brexit", but said they were "in the same boat" as the rest of the continent when it comes to what ties Britain decides to retain with the EU.

Also in a tempting message to the UK she said: “As a minister, I try to raise awareness about the EEA and the fact that it's actually functioning very well.

“In a time of populism and globalisation critics, we should be very happy that we have unexciting integration politics.”

Also speaking, Norway’s EU minister Frank Bakke Jensen said he was “open-minded” about the UK returning to a club it actually helped found in the 1960s, and which it belonged to before joining what was then the Common Market.

He said: "The EEA agreement has proven it is viable, useful, possible to adapt to an ever changing landscape and still relevant for us.

"Our relationship with the EU is a dynamic relationship. When EU changes its laws and agreement we do the same. We are working on this every day.

On Britain, he added: “The initiative would have to come from the UK. For the moment, the question is not on the table.”

Norway’s political elite has repeatedly tried to persuade voters to sign up to full EU membership, but they have twice rejected such a move first in the 1970s and then again in 1994. 

EU leaders finally sets out proposed date for Brexit negotiations after the upcoming general election

EU leaders finally sets out proposed date for Brexit negotiations after the upcoming general election

World Unknown   05:39

It is becoming apparent everyone in Brussels is now fully ready for the mother of all negotiations to kick start almost immediately after the UK’s general election coming up in June.

According to sources in Brussels the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michael Barnier has proposed June 19 as the beginning day of the Brexit talks that will formerly lead to Britain’s exit.

Once the proposed date is confirmed by the European Commission on Monday, the newly elected Prime Minister will be engaged in the Brexit hot seat to save the country’s future as demanded by the British people.

"The 19th (of June) is tentative, because Britain cannot confirm anything until after the elections," one official involved in the Brexit negotiation process said.

"The 19th is the earliest date they can envisage."

Information about the proposed date comes a day after EU Exit Secretary David Davis made it known to Daily Express that the PM had shown the Government "means business" and will not put up with "silly games" by Brussels if she returns to Downing Street after the general election. Where it was also warned that a "tense period" was ahead in the negotiations.

The Brexit Secretary also slammed the notion that Britain could be forced to pay up to £85billion to leave the EU.

In previously unpublished remarks from his Daily Express interview, the EU Exit Secretary said: "Picking numbers out the air doesn't work. I'm not going to do the negotiation in public anyway.

"What is plain is that the period of paying over vast sums of money into the EU is coming to an end - that is the most important thing."

He added: "We have said we will talk to them. We will meet our obligations. One of our great reputations globally is that we meet our obligations whatever they may be.

"We're going to have a very careful look. The numbers you see banded around, they are not legal obligations.

 "It is not in our interests to treat our allies badly, but on the other hand it's also not in our interests to hand over a load of taxpayers' money."

On the other hand, the EU chief negotiator told the Commission leaders at the beginning of this month that securing the rights of all EU nationals living and working in the UK and the divorce bill be given priority during the negotiations. Which he believes could be concluded between October and December.

All things being equal, if the proposed timetable is adhered to, both parties would begin talks on the future trade relationship.

Mr Barnier has proposed that his face-to-face talks with Mr Davis will be held in four-weekly cycles.

Week one would be all about preparations by the remaining 27 governments and the European Parliament and the second to an exchange of documents with Britain. While week three would be for negotiations, where EU officials would be expecting their UK counterparts to come over to Brussels for the week - and the fourth to report the results to the 27 governments and the European Parliament and prepare the next round of talks.

Scottish MEP condemns EU for threatening Britain over Brexit

Scottish MEP condemns EU for threatening Britain over Brexit

World Unknown   09:19

The European Parliament has come under and serious attack from a Scottish MEP David Coburn as they threaten to punish Britain for choosing to leave the union.

The MEP told his EU colleagues that Britain would be far better outside the bloc’s “socialist paradise” to contribute to the Continent’s financial markets. He also lambasted the French president elect for saying that there would have to be “consequences” for Britain as it leaves the EU.

Addressing an audience in Strasbourg, Mr Corburn said: “We hear the new French president and his Macaroons want to draw bankers from London and the EU wants to stop London clearing euros.

“These ladies and gentleman are not realistic threats. There is so much hot air from Mr Macron he could power a Montgolfiere!”

The Scottish MEP also said: “The EU should recognise even the socialist utopia, like the EU, is a properly functioning financial market.

“London’s pre-eminence in global finance could service this EU more easily from outside your socialist paradise.

“The UK has all of the attributes that could make it the EU’s best friend. But, instead, we are told by Macron that voting for Brexit is a crime that the UK must be made an example of so that no country considers leaving.”

Mr Coburn concluded: “He may be taking his orders from German Chancellor, but what sort of club is the EU that can only maintain…”

The Scot’s tirade was cut short by the chair of the parliament’s economic and monetary affairs committee.

However, during his speech in parliament on Wednesday, Michel Barnier reiterated the bloc weren’t seeking to punish Britain.

The European Commission's chief Brexit negotiator said he had no intention of ending up without an agreement between the EU and UK.

Michael Barnier assures the Irish people that Brussel with work hard to protect their interest post-Brexit

Michael Barnier assures the Irish people that Brussel with work hard to protect their interest post-Brexit

World Unknown   08:52

Delivering his speech to both houses of the Irish parliament yesterday, Michael Barnier again reassured the people of Ireland how he try his possible best to avoid a hard during Brexit.

He used the moment to also acknowledge saying: "I am fully aware that some member states will be more affected than others.

"I want to reassure the Irish people: in this negotiation Ireland's interest will be the Union's interest ... Brexit changes the external borders of the EU.

"I will work with you to avoid a hard border."

In addressing both houses of parliament, Mr Barnier was given a privilege normally only afforded to visiting heads of state and prime ministers, joining luminaries like Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton.

He further stated that there was no reason why the EU and Britain cannot maintain a "strong relationship" post Brexit, but Brexit will unavoidably have costs.

Resounding comments made last week, Mr Barnier said Brexit would "come at a cost" to both the UK and the remaining 27 members of the EU, but his objective was to reach a "fair deal" with London.

Mr Barnier said: "If we put things in the right order, if we negotiate with mutual respect, without any kind of aggressivity ... if we are open to finding solutions, there is no reason why a strong Europe cannot maintain a strong relationship with the UK."

Knowing that Brexit poses particular issues to Ireland, he said: "I want to reassure the Irish people: in this negotiation Ireland's interest will be the union's interest.

"We are in this negotiation together and a united EU will be here for you."

He repeated the EU's position that the issue of the UK-Ireland border, citizens' rights and "the financial settlement" must be the first priorities for talks.

"We first must make sufficient progress on these points before we start discussing the future of our relationship with the UK.

"The sooner this will happen, the better.

"If the conditions are right, a close partnership with the UK is in everybody's interest. And in Ireland's interest in particular."

A barrister in France launches legal action against Brexit, saying it is illegal

A barrister in France launches legal action against Brexit, saying it is illegal

World Unknown   10:21

More trouble stirs in the atmosphere as a French legal expert files a legal action to prove the illegality of the Brexit Referendum

Several British nationals residing in France who were restrained from voting during the referendum as a result of the ’15-year’ have been spoken to by Julien Fouchet, of Cornille-Pouyanne avocats based in Bordeaux, with respect to have such a decision might have affected their lives and rights.

The barrister claimed he is not against Brexit, however, he is of the opinion that another referendum should be organised, so that all British adults can participate.

He said: “A lot of people have explained their situation – that they have been in France a long time and could not vote, and they encouraged me.

“Now, I’ve been writing to them all and I have explained that if they want to help as much as possible they could take legal action with me; but I’ve not had much response to that so far.

“People have given their experiences but don’t necessarily want to go to court.”

He also said: “Personally I am doing this out of European solidarity, not to enrich myself."

Nevertheless, he is likely to face a hard task in trying to convince the General Court of the EU to accept his case.

In the meantime, he said he is preparing an English translation of his letter that he will also be sending to those who got in touch to help clarify the French legal terms.

The EU will be digging their own grave, if they failed to reach a deal with the UK – Professor Minford

The EU will be digging their own grave, if they failed to reach a deal with the UK – Professor Minford

World Unknown   08:02

An economist analyst has warned the EU that failure to reach a deal with the UK could result to an overwhelming recession within the continent, reason being that the UK has an upper hand in the Brexit talks billed to commence June.

Professor Patrick Minford speaking further, also predicted that due to the huge debt owed by Greece, the recession would collapse due to colossal fall in tourism and tariffs imposed on the country’s exports.

Because of the fear of losing other member nations, the EU is pressing towards a ferociously hard hard Brexit negotiations in order to protect the union.

Speaking to express.co.uk he said: “The people who have got the most to lose from not having a deal with the UK are the Europeans.

“They are going to do themselves a lot of damage. They’ve just come out of recession, they don’t need a recessionary shock like this any more than one needs a hole in the head.

“The banking system there is as rickety as hell and they are stuffed to the gills with government debt.

“The whole situation is very fragile and it just needs a shock pushing it back into recession to make it quite a mess, and the euro would fall in those circumstances.”

Also in his conclusion, he stated that: “So all this talk of punishing Britain is very silly and very immature. This really looks like an own goal from their point of view.”

Speaking further, he said: “The Greece problem isn’t going away, but it’s not getting any worse for now.

“But a blow which knocks their exports is potentially quite a recessionary impact and the particular impact in Greece could be very significant because it’s always teetering on the edge of chaos because of the way they’ve treated it.”

Prof Minford, who does not believe any other countries will leave the EU said: “If we don’t get a deal with the EU we’ll be in a perfectly good position as we’ll simply free trade with the rest of the world.

“For them the big problem is actually that we go to no deal and we have free trade with the rest of the world.

“They will find this is a very competitive market indeed and they will sell far less in it because stuff will be coming in from the rest of the world without those protectionist barriers.”

Saying the election of Emmanuel Macron was a good thing for the Brexit talks, he added: “We do want a strong Europe, we’d like them to sort themselves out. It’s not in our interests to have them falling apart at all.”   

Michael Barnier beg to reset Brexit negotiation button after being condemned for his misconduct against Theresa May

Michael Barnier beg to reset Brexit negotiation button after being condemned for his misconduct against Theresa May

World Unknown   08:36

After days of several backlash from some European leaders against Michael Barnier for his misconduct against the British government after having a dinner meeting with the PM at No. 10 Downing Street, the EU Brexit negotiator has made an urgent move to reset negotiation button.

Though he is still putting the blame of his misconduct on Britain, the EU Chief negotiator stressed that it was time to start afresh.

Leaked reports suggested how the European Commission chief Jean Claude-Juncker was scornful of Theresa May after their dinner meeting last week.

While delivering a speech at the European University Institute “State of the Union” conference, Mr Barnier stated that Brexit - and the choice made by the UK - is the only thing to blame for the breakdown in relationships.

Mr Barnier also understood that the Cameron’s administration which opened borders for new EU nations in 2004 fermented the taste for immigration in Britain.

He suggested saying: “Let’s turn the page together in mutual respect and find solutions together.”

He said: “We will not discuss our future relationship with the UK until the 27 member states are reassured that all citizens will be treated properly and humanely.

“Otherwise, there can be no trust when it comes to constructing a new relationship with the UK.

“And I know, for this new partnership with the UK to be solid and to be sustainable, we have together to build it on the base on mutual trust.”

Speaking further, he said: “The integrity of the single market will never ever be compromised during these negotiations. “Free movement of people is at the heart of EU citizenship.”

According to Barnier’s believe, Britain would be worst hit if it prevents EU nationals from being part of its labour market, as he gave instance of how 1 in 15 job applicants in supermarkets are British citizens. And that there is going to be about 60,000 hospitality vacancies pro-Brexit which would be hard to fill.

Nonetheless, the PM and her Brexit team is yet to reveal what rights EU citizens working in Britain will have.

Notwithstanding his insistence that both parties need to begin again and communicate peacefully, he went on to maintain the EU must be given certain assurances before talks can begin seriously. Stating that its citizens will be “properly and humanely” treated by the UK.

The EU maintained they want equal rights for all EU nationals in the UK, as well “protection for the lifetime of the citizens who are concerned”.

Mr Juncker however said the English language is “losing importance in Europe” as he accused the UK of “abandoning” the EU. 

BREXIT BOMBSHELL: Economic crisis looms in Germany is 200,000 bankers relocates from the UK

BREXIT BOMBSHELL: Economic crisis looms in Germany is 200,000 bankers relocates from the UK

World Unknown   07:22

It has been revealed by a senior banker in Germany that Europe is on the brink of becoming entrapped in battle should 200,000 bankers relocate from London post-Brexit.

This was made known to Bloomberg News by a member of board at Deutsche Bundesbank Andreas Dombret, warning that banks had to be "very, very, very careful" as Brexit nears. The warning was issued after it was predicted that about 200,000 banker "could flee" London if the City loses passport rights after Brexit.

In a similar vein, JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs have announced plans this week to transfer hundreds of their London staff to Frankfurt, Luxembourg and Dublin.

The banker said: "We have to be very very very careful that we don’t have a regularity race in the eurozone with one country trying to market its financial centre over others and making promises it cannot keep.

"We need to resolve this - or else this presents a major stability risk for Germany."

This scenario would mean a fight between EU countries to be the financial capital of the continent.

However, Mr Dombret confirmed that London "will remain an important financial centre and a big proportion of their HR force will stay". 

Trouble in Brussels as Angela Merkel strongly condemns Mr Juncker's unwholesome conduct against his meeting with Theresa May

Trouble in Brussels as Angela Merkel strongly condemns Mr Juncker's unwholesome conduct against his meeting with Theresa May

World Unknown   08:05

Confusion brews among top EU leaders as German Chancellor Angela Merkel expresses her displeasure with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker after some sensitive details of his meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May was leaked.

The leakage was made public by a German newspaper as it outlined details of the dinner meeting at No 10 Downing Street. The newspaper reported how Mr Juncker said the PM was “living in another galaxy” and claimed that he left the talks “10 times more sceptical than I was before" that a deal could be struck.

The Commission President’s conduct was strongly condemned by Mrs Merkel, who was expressing some optimism for a little or no confrontational start in Brexit negotiations.

This is because, Mrs Merkel believes that it was either Mr Juncker or his Chief of staff Martin Selmayr hinted newsmen about what was talk about in a private meeting and indicted them of ”fuelling the flames”  before Brexit talks have even got under way.

According to reports in Der Spiegel she said: “It was not particularly helpful to fuel the flames like this.”

The Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung said Mr Juncker repeated his claims that Mrs May was “from another galaxy” and his “having delusions” during a telephone call with Mrs Merkel after the confrontational Downing Street dinner date.

Thus the Prime Minister was annoyed by Juncker's statements and stressed that she was prepared to walk away from the Brexit negotiating table with no deal at all rather than a bad one.

She told the BBC she would be a “bloody difficult woman” when dealing with Mr Juncker in future talks.

She said: “During the Conservative Party leadership campaign I was described by one of my colleagues as a bloody difficult woman.

“And I said at the time the next person to find that out will be Jean-Claude Juncker.”

Mrs May has made it clear she does not want leaks about the Brexit negotiations but many doubt that such secrecy is achievable when Brexit issues affect the interests of 27 other EU countries.

Brexit Secretary David Davis accused the European Commission of "trying to bully the British people" with an £85bn divorce bill from the EU.

Mr Juncker said: "We will negotiate fairly with our British friends, but let's not forget that it is not the EU that is abandoning the UK - it is the UK that's abandoning the EU, and that makes a difference.”

Gibraltar PM fires back at Spain over its moves to undermine his people's interest during Brexit talks

Gibraltar PM fires back at Spain over its moves to undermine his people's interest during Brexit talks

World Unknown   10:21

Spanish government flabbergasted by the Prime Minister of Gibraltar as he accused them of "seeking to make a profit" over Brexit in an angry tirade.

The PM made his indignation known after the Spanish government released its plans for Brexit, which involves clamping down of its rock and economy.

In a document called ‘Negotiations on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU’ which has been sent to congress, Spain said it plans to end Gibraltar’s “privileged” existence as a “tax haven”.

How Mr Picardo has issued a serious warning to Spain, saying that Gibraltar would fire back if it carries out such a plan during Brexit negotiations, an action which would make the inhabitants of Campo de Gibraltar victims, as they cross the border on a daily basis to work in the colony.

‘Campo de Gibraltar’ is a county in the province of Cadiz, in the most southwestern part of Andalusia. At least 7,000 to 9,000 Spaniards leave Campo de Gibraltar to go to the Rock to work every day.

Though a Spanish media which revealed the information said that the Spanish government is threatening not to accept that after Brexit the colony should maintain the "unjustified privilege" that has turned it into a tax haven "which competes unfairly with Spain".

Mr Picardo fired back at Spain saying "the Spanish Government’s mask is slipping”.

He added that he "saw in the report a way of Spain trying to use Brexit to take narrow advantage".

He said Gibraltar will continue to seek dialogue and friendship "over Spanish aggression and belligerence".

But he warns, however, his "goodwill and good faith will not be abused".

The Prime Minister added that "soon, Madrid will have to explain to the Campo why Spanish citizens starting work in Gibraltar post-Brexit don’t have the same rights as Gibraltarians".

Last week, he addressed Gibraltarians at a rally on Labour Day, saying that they will act with "reciprocity" if the EU "discriminates" against it.

He also recommended Spain seek protection for their workers after March 2019, once the UK leaves the EU.

The Spanish Government, however, has been insisting that it wants to reach agreements that allow workers in Campo de Gibraltar to keep their jobs, which Gibraltar needs.

New survey reveals that young Europeans do not want the EU anymore

New survey reveals that young Europeans do not want the EU anymore

World Unknown   09:29

With the level of protest from various EU nations, it is becoming apparent that bloc may be heading towards extinction in the nearest future.

According to a recent opinion poll conducted, it was showed that most people within the member states do not support the idea of maintaining their membership anymore. This is because over three quarters of youths within the bloc perceive the EU as a merchandising union, and not an alliance of common countries.

The result also shows that an average of 21% are of the opinion that their country should exit the union. Amazingly, 42% of Brits saying they would vote to leave if a new referendum was held tomorrow.

The online survey, commissioned by Germany’s TUI Foundation, polled 6,000 people aged between 16 and 26 in seven EU countries: France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Spain and Britain.

Thus, it was established by the survey that 40% wanted the EU to allow national governments to have control of power.

While in Greece, that figure rose to a whopping 60 per cent as citizens continue to struggle under the bloc’s tough austerity rules. German and Greece respondents voted in favour of democracy.

Also in France, Italy and Poland - all home to increasing populist movements - less than half of respondents were convinced of its effectiveness.

 Markus Spittler, of the Berlin Science Research Center for Social Research, said: "In principle, young adults support the European idea, but they are increasingly suspicious when it comes to concrete measures and short-term projects.

“They can be called critical Europeans. They are critical because they question specific policies and institutional arrangements."

Even though the majority still supported remaining in the EU, an average of 21 per cent of voters said they would vote to leave.

In Germany, 69 per cent were pro-EU while Italy, Poland and Spain voted 59 per cent, 61 per cent and 73 per cent respectively.

Greeks were also most likely to dream of leaving the EU, with 31 per cent believing in a Greece-exit.

But the results were lowest in Germany in Spain, where just 12 per cent voted in favour of quitting the union.

The financial mathematics of the EU states that Britain must bear part of the bloc’s liabilities without have any portion in the assets

The financial mathematics of the EU states that Britain must bear part of the bloc’s liabilities without have any portion in the assets

World Unknown   08:47

BREXIT: It is indeed with a strong shock the British people received the news from Brussels saying that Britain has not right to share any of the assets the country contributed hugely as a member for decades. Yet EU leaders are forcing huge financial liabilities on the British people.

The questions being asked now is, how can one party be forced to pay for such a huge financial liability without have its own fair share of the assets that it helped to build to date? The UK being a major net contributor for several years, since the inception of the bloc.

So if the EU leaders is claiming that all the assets which includes buildings, loans, wine and fine art, is are owned exclusively by Brussels and not the member states, one can boldly conclude also that, all the financial liabilities should also be borne by Brussels, as you cannot have an asset without liabilities.

Theresa May’s government in trying to balance the equation, has suggested that let the UK’s share of the assets be matched against the liabilities, so that if there is any left after that, the country can then pay it up. Therefore, looking at it from a business perspective, one can conclude that, such an idea is ideal for both parties.

However, UKIP leader Paul Nuttal has claimed that, it is the EU is indeed indebted to the UK for all the huge financial contributions Britain had made to the bloc for decades.

Speaking with express.co.uk, he stressed that: “The appalling cheek of these people is absolutely breath-taking. You could hardly make it up.

“They spout similar ideas to Corporatist spin doctors, ie that  a company's profits are private but its losses are public.

“Of course the UK has a call on the assets. The UK taxpayer paid for the buildings, the financial resources etc and in negotiations we have a duty to demand them back from the money –grabbing EU.

“And by the way, if they claim that their assets belong solely to the EU, so too must their liabilities."

A senior EU official authorised to speak about the Brexit bill said that because the bloc is a “legal personality” in its own right member states have given up all claim to its assets even though they paid for them.

The Commission bigwig, who is a top figure in Michel Barnier's negotiating team, stated: "Member states do not have any right to those assets, there’s no shareholding in the EU.

“All of the EU’s assets belong to the EU and that includes buildings and other assets both tangible and intangible, financial and non financial, drinkable and non drinkable."

Britain being a net contributor of about £10bn per annum to the bloc’s budget, is being treated as nobody by EU leaders all in an effort to frustrate and deny the public their democratic mandate.

The EU currently owns a stunning £36 billion in property and cash including its £300 million ‘space egg’ Europa building, which is the new home of the European Council.

Britain has also made considerable contributions to the European Investment Bank, which lends money to EU states, and which has an astonishing £56 billion in capital.

Finally there is the bloc’s world famous wine cellar, which contains 42,500 bottles of premium plonk, and its burgeoning modern art collection, now valued at around £15 million.

In total it has been calculated that Britain, which contributes around 12 per cent of the bloc’s total budget, could lay claim to a staggering £58bn of the EU’s total assets.

Belgian Member of Parliament warn Brussels to respect the democratic will of the British people if not the EU will fail

Belgian Member of Parliament warn Brussels to respect the democratic will of the British people if not the EU will fail

World Unknown   06:39

It has been predicted by some world leaders that if the only way the EU feels it can continue its existence is to punish the United Kingdom because the British people voted to leave and being a democratic nation, the government is duty bound to respect the democratic will of the people by implementing Brexit, then the EU is doomed to collapse in the nearest future.

According to Johan Van Overtveldt, the is in a comatose state with the current happenings within bloc, due to the fact that it misplaced its priority of securing its borders and put its focus on regulation size olive pots.

Speaking further he said the "ever-closer union" needs urgent reform to become "different" and "better" and should spend its time tackling security, immigration and trade.

Mr Van Overtveldt said: "Sixty years after signing the Treaty of Rome, and 25 years after the Maastricht Treaty, the European Union is in trouble and is certainly in need of new inspiration and new directions. The EU cannot continue operating the way it does today.

"One should not underestimate the psychological effect that the Brexit vote has had, not just in Britain but also in other European capitals.

"Long time achievements of European integration such as free movement of people are being fundamentally called into question.

"If Europe focuses on how the pots in which olives are sold should be sized, then I think Europe is very wrong."

Therefore, the 61-year-old New Flemish Alliance MP stated how “sad” it would be. if the only way the EU could remain attractive to its members was “by showing them you are able to punish the UK”.

He said: "Everything in my way of thinking argues to get a good deal for the British and not have as an ultimate objective to punish them. This is democracy. We should respect that. We should strike a good deal and be reasonable people - on both sides - and then go on.

"The sooner the better because the real danger of the Brexit process is that it will go on, and on, and on, and there will come a moment where that will start impacting expectations whether it be investments, producers or consumers which is of course bad for the economy overall."

He also poked fun at Jean-Claude Juncker's assertion that Mrs May is "in a different galaxy" when it came to Brexit.

Mr Van Overtveldt said: "It’s very common in Belgian politics to say you only have an agreement when you have an agreement on everything, so in that sense Theresa May sounded very much like a Belgian politician.”

EU chiefs team up to fight Theresa May on Brexit, after claiming that the UK “underestimates” problem associated with Brexit.

EU chiefs team up to fight Theresa May on Brexit, after claiming that the UK “underestimates” problem associated with Brexit.

World Unknown   08:24

Leaders of the European Commission has made some assertions that UK’s exiting the EU is “a problem” stating that such a move is "not feasible that it can be done just like that."

Speaking, Jean-Claude Juncker stressed that the UK "underestimates" the complication of EU exit talks. This was said after the meeting of the remaining 27 member states solidly agreed their approach for Brexit talks. Juncker also stressed on in need to discuss the issue of EU and British citizens’ rights, and said that alone would take a lot of time to conclude.

According to Juncker the Commission had drawn up a suggested arrangement on the issue "which could be adopted immediately if our British friends would be ready to sign it (but) that will probably not happen".

Mr Juncker added: "I have the impression sometimes that our British friends…underestimate the technical difficulties we have to face.

"The single question of citizens' rights is in fact a cortege of 25 questions that have to be solved".

Hitting out at Theresa May over her stance during talks at No 10, he said: "Every time I was asking questions she told me to be patient and be ambitious.

"The same remarks have to be addressed to the UK".

Mr Juncker further stated that the Downing Street meeting was "excellent", before joking: "I'm not talking about the food".

He said: "Privately everything went well but we have a problem, the British want to leave the EU and it's not feasible that it can be done just like that."

Speaking together with Mr Juncker at a conference in Brussels, European Council president Donald Tusk called on the Government to provide a "serious response" on the issue of EU citizens' rights.

He also used the moment to welcomed the "outstanding unity" of EU leaders who authorised draft negotiating guidelines in under a minute.

The terms of the approach adopted by the bloc states that the controversial divorce bill must first be accepted by the UK as well as the issue of the rights of EU nationals before the commencement of any trade deal

Also on the EU strategy, the issue of the Irish border was included saying, the UK must reach a deal, and make it clear the extent at which EU laws will still be applicable in the UK, during the negotiation period.

A lot of EU leaders have used the summit as a platform to issue different threats against the UK, as they all have agreed unanimously to take a very hard stance with Britain.

Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel accused the Prime Minister of attempting to cherry-pick a Brexit deal.

He said: "Before you had the soft Brexit and the hard Brexit, and in future maybe you will have Theresa's Brexit, so maybe that is the reason she organised the elections."

Meanwhile, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said Britain may attempt to "split the 27 nations and it is a trap we need to avoid".

He added: "If you are no longer part of a club, it has consequences. A Brexit for free is not possible."

Brexit talks are expected to begin after the General Election on 8 June.

Brussel in uproar as Jean-Claude Juncker battles some EU member nations on mortgage policies

Brussel in uproar as Jean-Claude Juncker battles some EU member nations on mortgage policies

World Unknown   07:24

EU leader Jean-Claude Juncker attacks some EU member states for failing to introduce laws that will govern mortgage in line with EU policies. The countries affected are Spain, Croatia, Cyprus and Portugal.

As a result of their reluctance to put the legislation in place, as demanded by the EU, the bloc is considering taking the affected nations to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

Even when they were given up till March 21 2016 to put in motion the legislation on credit, they still failed to meet up the targeted date, as a result, igniting wrath from Juncker even as some member states are calling for his resignation.

The essence of EU leaders making serious moves to take control of mortgage is to make countries like Germany provide debt facilities. This is due to the EU’s resolve to offer "potentially more advantageous credit offers of lenders from other Member States".

Nevertheless, such a move may not gain any ground in Spain, as several thousands of in the country have been leading street campaigns because of the huge public debt the government is involved in. accordingly, the Spanish government has expressed their defiance to the compulsory law of the EU saying Spain does not have any graving for such a law.

A spokesman for the Spanish Ministry for the Economy said: "It is preparing a normative text that it hopes to approve before a possible sentence occurs.

"With this objective we are working to reach the necessary consensus that will allow us to overcome the parliamentary process, an issue that is not only up to the Government.

"Throughout 2016, no progress could be made in transposing European legislation when the Government was in office.”

So far the EU leaders have been accused by the Spanish people for forcing them to pay for a "scandalous manipulation" of the economic data that has the potential to lead to the destruction of the Eurozone.

It was reported that the said document was signed by economists Juan Laborda, Juan Carlos Barba, Juan Carlos Bermejo, and Roberto Centeno, Professor Emeritus of Economy at the Technical University of Madrid, compares the country's misfortune to Greece.

It says they felt compelled to flag the false figures because the entire system is flawed.

The letter states: "Mr President, you assert that Eurostat checks Spain’s economic figures on the basis of ‘appropriate quality measures’.

"However, until now Eurostat has taken for good the most false and incongruent public accounts of the Eurozone.

"In addition the European Commission has looked elsewhere to the repeated non-compliance with the macroeconomic objectives, ignoring Spain’s obligation to comply with the Stability and Growth Pact, which makes them necessary accomplices in the generation of a gigantic bubble of debt already impossible to pay back, and that will ruin the next generations of Spaniards for not less than 50 years."

European Union removes Britain from its map

European Union removes Britain from its map

Regional News Unknown   11:41

The reality of Brexit is beginning to hit the EU after the union removed the United Kingdom from the EU’s map after the triggering of Article 50.

The blunt removal of Britain from the EU map shows how the EU is beginning to adjust itself to carry on its task without the UK.

Launching a social scheme for Europe, Mr Juncker said: "As Commission President, I have been seeking to put social priorities at the heart of Europe's work, where they belong.

"With the European Pillar of Social Rights and the first set of initiatives that accompany it, we are delivering on our promises and we are opening a new chapter.

"We want to write this chapter together: Member States, EU institutions, the social partners and civil society all have to take their responsibility."

He added: "I believe we do well to start this initiative within the euro area, while allowing other EU member states to join if they want to do so."

Mr Juncker had stated in the past that he wants to restore the EU's "triple A" rating for social standards, and has now announced a "social scoreboard" which will rank countries on how they treat their workers.

Britain is ommitted from all the charts and maps contained in a Reflection Paper of the Social Dimension of Europe, which documents the history of European social policy and outlines possibilities for future changes to legislation.

Britain ready for a show down with Brussels over Brexit

Britain ready for a show down with Brussels over Brexit

World Unknown   11:02

Britain fully ready to face Brussels as the PM holds call talks with the EU president Jean-Claude Juncker together with Michael Barnier in Downing Street.

During the meeting issues such as the huge £50 billion divorce bill, Span’s threat to veto on the future of Gilbralter would be top on the agenda.

Despite the fact the Mrs May has had several clashes with Mr Juncker, this meeting would be seen as the first of its kind with Barnier, who is tagged as "the most dangerous man in Europe".

The greatest quarrel during the meeting is said to be Barnier’s demand for the £50bn bill for exiting the bloc.

Recall how the French political leader threatened to punish the UK last month, if the controversial money is not paid. Also for the UK to have a good deal in the negotiations, it may continue to pay into the EU’s budget till 2020.

And which is currently being placed on the table by UK’s Brexit negotiators, and may force the UK to backtrack on its hard Brexit stance in order to have good political relationship with Brussels.

That meeting and the PMQ may likely be the last prior to the June 8 snap general election in the UK.

The Labour party released a statement after Sir Keir Starmer unveiled a fresh Labour strategy to Brexit saying that Corbyn and Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood had met "to discuss the transition to government if Labour wins the General Election".

However, as the campaign progresses, the Labour party is beginning to shift its attention from Brexit to the NHS.

However, the Liberal Democrats will attempt to keep up the pressure on Brexit when leader Tim Farron attempts to woo business leaders in Tory-held St Albans.

"My message to business is this - dump the Tories," he will say. "Every penny you give them will hurt you; you are funding your own funeral."

"With this disastrous hard Brexit the Government is hurting businesses, both big and small, costing jobs and hitting families."

The UK warned of bloodbath by the EU concerning trade deals with the US

The UK warned of bloodbath by the EU concerning trade deals with the US

World Unknown   11:43

The EU has threatened a "bloodbath" against the UK over a projected trade agreement with the US, an EU commissioner has warned.

According to Phil Hogan, head of the EU agricultural and rural development commission, the British PM’s moves to enter into various trade deals with countries outside the EU is a fanciful idea of a new British Empire.

Mr Hogan while delivering his speck in Dublin also frowned at Liam Fox’s push for cheap food importation into the UK from the US and said, such an attempt is seen as reducing the standard being set in the past and may be revolted against by the masses.

Mr Hogan said: ”Liam Fox is pushing for agriculture to be included in such discussions claiming that Americans have been eating hormone beef and chlorine chicken perfectly safely for years, so what's all the fuss about?

"Would British farmers and consumers accept hormone beef and chlorine chicken on their supermarket shelves?

"I seriously doubt it. There may yet be a bloodbath over these issues."

Mr Hogan told the conference, organised by the Irish Farmers' Association, that EU member states ”can rest easy in the knowledge that our negotiating weight in trade deals means that our partners rise to our standards, rather than us lowering to theirs”.

He also suggested claims by Theresa May that the UK will strike similar deals with other countries outside the EU was also questionable.

Mr Hogan further said: ”This aim, based on notions of an Empire 2.0, is somewhat fanciful when you look at the trade-offs the UK would have to submit to in order to do deals around the world.”

He said he hoped June's general election would strengthen Mrs May's hand in facing down the "looney voices on the right of the Tory party" and that Britain would remain within the EU's Customs Union.

He said: ”It is my hope that, over the course of the coming months, the British Government will recognise that the best way to maintain the freest possible trade in goods such as agri-food products is to remain in the Customs Union, and that sense will prevail.”

Read why the EU does not want Britain to leave the union

Read why the EU does not want Britain to leave the union

World Unknown   10:00

It has been exposed why the European Union is desperately fighting to discourage Britain from exiting the union.

According to a report, Britain’s exit to the EU is going to hit hard on countries in the Eurozone, especially Germany as revealed by a Bundestag committee. This is because, Germany being the largest net contributor to the EU would cost the country some extra billions.

Thus, EU leaders are desperately making some strategic moves to ensure a deal is reached with the UK, because if no deal is agreed upon, the UK would not be duty bound to make any financial contribution to the bloc after 2019.

Dr Peter Becker, 58, at Germany’s Institute for International Policy and Security, told the committee: "The EU would then have no legal means to demand outstanding payments from London.”

With Britain not contributing, the pension fund would lose some £17bn (€20bn) by 2020, which would mean Germany having to pay up to an additional £5.1bn (€6bn).

Statistics shows that the EU’s pension contribution by the UK may form significant part of the Brexit talks.

According to a Brussels-based think tank Bruegel it was estimated last month that the UK could face a bill of between £6.5bn (€7.7bn) and £8.5bn (€10bn).

On the other hand officials could have been underfunding the scheme as a result of discrepancies between discount rates used to calculate liabilities and staff contributions.

Therefore, EU leaders have repeatedly emphasised that Britain will have to pay its fair share of the bills before it leaves.

While President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker has refused to state an exact figure he has in the past described the sum as “hefty”.

Even though several approximations have put the final bill to be in the region of £42bn (€50bn).

The think tank though has said that the figure though could be “substantially” more than that.

It said: “Depending on the scenario, the long-run net Brexit bill could range from €25.4bn to €65.1bn.

“Upfront UK payments could reach £92.5bn (€109bn) followed by significant subsequent EU reimbursements.”

EU leaders planning to subject the UK to a perpetual financial subjection

EU leaders planning to subject the UK to a perpetual financial subjection

World Unknown   07:54

EU leaders have on Thursday made a demand that could permit them to perpetually make an upward review of the UK’s £52bn divorce bill.

This therefore means that the controversial divorce bill could keep on increasing each year, a move which will could force the UK to continue paying into the EU’s treasury even after formerly leaving the bloc.

But such a ploy would end up increasing tension and sour the friendly relationship between the two parties, as a lot of eurosceptics are already upset with the whole idea.

Before now, there was this believe that Britain would  be presented one last payable amount as a result of them exiting the EU, which was worked out on the basis of previous and current commitments the UK is involved in.

The plan if implemented successfully, would make the British taxpayers subject to the whims of EU politicians who could intentionally inflate the budgets of certain projects knowing very that such a strategy make the UK’s contribution to increase.

The shock was made known in one of the draft documents to be used for the Brexit negotiation as produced by the Jean-Claude Juncker, in preparation for the official negotiations to kick-start.

According to the content of the leaked document, eurocrats call for a “single financial settlement related to the Union budget and related to the termination of the membership of the United Kingdom”.

Saying that: “This single financial settlement should be based on the principle that the United Kingdom must honour its share of the financing of all the obligations undertaken while it was a member of the Union.”

However, officials then drop a bombshell as they delve into the detail of exactly what the “single financial settlement” would entail for the UK Government.

They said it should include “a calculation of the global amount that the United Kingdom has to honour in order to settle its financial obligations toward the Union budget, all institutions or bodies established by the Treaties, and other issues with a financial impact”.

They then add: “The global amount may be subject to future annual technical adjustments.”