This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. During a debate on the EU summit, MEPs welcomed the EU’s unified approach on Brexit and criticised the Council’s inaction on key dossiers, such as migration and social policies. Migration should be the main topic on the agenda during the meeting of EU heads […]Brexit and migration dominates the debate on October’s EU summit
October 2, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. During a debate on the EU summit, MEPs welcomed the EU’s unified approach on Brexit and criticised the Council’s inaction on key dossiers, such as migration and social policies. Migration should be the main topic on the agenda during the meeting of EU heads […]Impossible Brexit options: WTO or new referendum?
September 24, 2018 by Leave a Comment
In western Austria’s ‘saltcastle’ – Saltzburg – the baroque native city of Mozart, the last EU Summit which took place there left a very bitter Brexit taste. The city’s confectioners’ efforts of supplying an unlimited variety of chocolates, baring the face of the celebrated composer, were to no avail. The British Prime Minister, Theresa May, […]Who can unlock the stalled Brexit negotiations? UK Premier sticks to her proposal
September 20, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The Brexit cataclysm comes to its apex. On the one side is Prime Minister Theresa May, and on the other around 50 unrepentant Brexiteer Tory MPs. The sides are about to cross swords within and without Parliament. Reportedly, May could pass her own – not so mild but negotiable in Brussels – version of Brexit […]Draghi to lay his print on long term ECB policies prior to exiting next year
September 17, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Mario Draghi, the President of the European Central Bank, was criticized by major global financial media for insisting to end the easy money policy this December. The argument is that, after ECB’s Governing Council decided at the end of the prosperous 2017 to end its extraordinary monetary policy, the world has become a riskier place. […]The Brexit factor in the US-China trade war and other conflicts
September 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Last Friday, the American President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One threatened China with new tariffs on $267 billion of goods heading for the US markets, on top of the $200bn worth of Chinese exports Washington currently is ready to punish with extra levies. The US has already imposed extra tariffs on $50bn of Chinese […]Brexit: MEPs concerned over reported UK registration plans for EU27 citizens
August 21, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Joint statement by the Brexit Steering Group on reports that the UK Home Office is considering processing applications for “settled status” by EU citizens on an alphabetical basis. “The European Parliament’s Brexit Steering Group (BSG) is deeply concerned by reports that the UK Home […]The UK option: An overarching alternative for the whole Brexit options
August 2, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for The Sting by one of our passionate readers, Dr Ali Albasha. The opinions expressed within reflect only the writer’s views and not The European Sting’s position on the issue. As a fait accompli, the UK has made up mind to exit the EU by March 2019, which entails the analysts, politicians and the […]Theresa May attempts to ease the EU stance as Britons request another EU referendum
August 1, 2018 by Leave a Comment
With less than eight months away from the exit of the UK from the EU, continuous negotiations are being held between the two parties in order to avoid a no-deal Brexit. UK Prime Minister Theresa May will visit French President Emmanuel Macron at his Fort de Brégançon on Friday in an attempt to persuade him […]Brexit: No withdrawal agreement without a “backstop” for the Northern Ireland/Ireland border
July 30, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The European Parliament’s Brexit Steering Group insist that the withdrawal agreement must include a viable backstop for the Northern Ireland – Ireland border. The European Parliament’s Brexit Steering Group (BSG) has been briefed on the negotiations that have taken place over the last two […]Brexit: European Commission publishes Communication on preparing for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU
July 20, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has today adopted a Communication outlining the ongoing work on the preparation for all outcomes of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union. On 30 March 2019, the United Kingdom will leave the EU and become a third country. This […]Does May have enough time in Parliament to table a soft Brexit deal?
July 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The American President, last Wednesday and Thursday, after having infuriated his European allies at the NATO Summit, flew to London. Just after landing there he told the Brits that the US will not offer Britain a trade deal after Brexit, because May’s proposal for the divorce with the EU is not to his liking. In […]Statement by the Brexit Steering Group on UK government White paper
July 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Statement by the Brexit Steering Group on the Chequers Statement of 6 July 2018 and on the White Paper released by the UK Government The European Parliament’s Brexit Steering Group (BSG), chaired by Guy Verhofstadt, met today and had an extensive exchange of views […]10 Downing street: Another desperate attempt to unite Britain on Brexit
July 9, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Once more, the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, is trying to pool together her deeply divided cabinet and country and formulate a common proposal for a Brexit deal with the EU. In the latest development, the ‘Leave’ campaign ministers and the Bremain group are reported by 10 Downing Street to have agreed on a ‘business […]Statement by the Brexit Steering Group on UK paper on EU citizens in the UK
July 4, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Statement by the Brexit Steering Group on the proposed “EU settlement scheme: Statement of Intent”, published on 21 June. Responding to the release of the UK’s policy paper “EU Settlement Scheme statement of intent” policy paper, which describes how EU citizens and their families […]To Brexit, or not to Brexit…rather not: 10 Downing Street, London
June 11, 2018 by 1 Comment
Almost exactly two years have elapsed after the Brits voted to leave the European Union. Tomorrow, Tuesday 12 June, the elected lower House of the Parliament, the Commons, is expected to open the way for Britain to remain in EU’s customs union and the single market for an extended period of time. Most probably, Prime […]Discussion at Europe House: Brexit & Food
June 6, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The EPLO in the UK hosted a debate in London aimed at understanding the implications of Brexit on the food industry On 18 May, the European Parliament Liaison Office in the UK organised a debate exploring the impact of Brexit on the future of […]Britain aligns with EU rivaling US on trade and Iran, abandons bilateral ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’
May 3, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Last Sunday 29 April, Britain determinedly joined the other two major European Union powers, Germany and France in cautioning the US not to activate its super levies of 25% and 10% on imports of steel and aluminum respectively. Donald Trump, the president of ‘America first’, on 23 March had announced the imposition of the above […]Macron crowned king of Europe in Washington D.C.; just a working meeting with Trump for Merkel
April 26, 2018 by Leave a Comment
A rare service Donald Trump is currently doing for the Europeans is that he offers them a platform for important common action to be undertaken by the French President Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor Angela Merkel. They are both visiting the White House this week, but expect quite different reception from Trump; pompous state […]Putin becomes the ‘perfect enemy” for the West
March 22, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Putin, after having won last Sunday’s presidential election in Russia with a landslide of 76.7% is now turning to the West for détente. According to Reuters, he said “had no desire for an arms race and would do everything he could to resolve differences with other countries”. Only a few days ahead of election Sunday […]Brexit negotiations: Can May’s Britain bounce back?
March 21, 2018 by Leave a Comment
It was last Monday when the EU and UK announced a transition agreement till the end of 2020 providing thus the opportunity for a smoother Brexit. However, there are still unsolved issues that need intensive discussions such as the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. The business world saw this accord positively as they will […]Trump’s trade war splits the EU; Germany upset with Juncker’s “we can be stupid too”
March 19, 2018 by 1 Comment
The US-EU trade war starts on 23 March, with the first shot fired by Washington at 12:01 a.m. (04.01 GMT). From what we know so far, from that minute onward the American customs authorities will impose extra tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, set by President Trump at 25% and 10% respectively. However, it seems […]Is Britain to sail alone in the high seas of trade wars?
March 5, 2018 by Leave a Comment
If Britain is counting on the US for a favorable bilateral trade agreement after Brexit, Donald Trump the President of ‘America first,’ rushed last Thursday to destroy that Brit dream; he announced 25% extra tariffs on steel and 10% on aluminum imports, prompting anger and retaliatory measures from America’s closest political allies, Canada and the […]Germany readies to pay for the Brexit gap in EU finance
February 26, 2018 by Leave a Comment
As expected, last Friday’s informal European Council of the 27 EU leaders didn’t produce any tangible result regarding its main agenda item; the future of Europe. The EU leaders just quarreled on who is to cover the hole in the budget, after Britain’s contribution ends with Brexit. In relation to this perennial question of money […]EU budget: Will Germany alone manage Britain’s gap?
February 21, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The EU budget will be the main topic of the EU summit which will be held in Brussels on Friday. The leaders of the 27 member states have to deal with the annual gap that UK will leave after Brexit occurs ensuring that the priorities set for the Union will be adequately funded. According to […]Brexit negotiations: back to square one, tougher words, no good faith
February 12, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This past week, the EU and UK Brexit negotiators’ solemn exchanges became for the first time, really aggressive and plain. Since the beginning of September 2017, during the Michel Barnier – David Davis meetings there had being difficult moments. Nevertheless, the two chief negotiators never questioned the good faith of the other side; not any […]Disintegrating Tories will void May’s pledge for Brexit deal in seven weeks
February 5, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Last Friday, Theresa May, the British Prime Minister, said from China, where she was on official visit, that in seven weeks she will have a Brexit transition deal with the EU. Surely, nobody believes her. The reason is that her Tory governing party is so deeply split over the Brexit terms, up to the point […]What Merkel and Macron are to tell Trump in Davos?
January 22, 2018 by 1 Comment
Donald Trump, the American President, is to deliver the closing speech at this year’s World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of 23-26 January in Davos, which as usually is set in the unsullied Alpine landscape. Perhaps, he has something new to say about how America sees Europe. Most probably though, he is simply to repeat his […]Will the end of QE come along with ECB’s inflation target?
January 17, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The European Central Bank (ECB) will end its Quantitative Easing (QE) programme within the year as the Eurozone continues growing. However, the inflation rate which is not increasing as much as the ECB officials would like, stands as a barrier to its monetary policy. According to Reuters, sources close to the ECB mentioned that the […]Minority governments ‘à la mode’ in Europe but can they last long?
January 4, 2018 by Leave a Comment
With the Italian elections set for 4 March and anticipated to produce a hang parliament, four out of the five bigger European countries will be in political limbo for a good part, if not for the entire new year 2018. France is the only exception in this Euro-plague of political uncertainty. In some cases the […]Hazy ‘breakthrough’ saves PM May, leaves Ireland in limbo: Brexit
December 11, 2017 by Leave a Comment
With only a couple of hours sleep in the very early hours of last Friday, the British PM Theresa May boarded a RAF aircraft and landed in Brussels before dawn. Weary as she was, she rushed to Berlaymont building, the EU Commission headquarters. There she met Jean-Claude Juncker the President of the European Commission and […]EU’s unsparing question to UK: now what kind of future relations do you want?
December 4, 2017 by Leave a Comment
This week, the countdown starts for Britain to offer final answers, about the three Brexit prerequisites: the divorce alimony, the future of the 4.5 million European citizens who work on the wrong side of the English Channel and the Irish border. Only then will Brussels pass to the second phase of the talks, to discuss […]Britain offers more money for an orderly Brexit but the Irish question resurges
November 27, 2017 by Leave a Comment
If last Friday’s Reuters report from Brussels is correct and Theresa May and Donald Tusk agreed to solve the Brexit dead-end in ten days, then the wild Brexiteers must have retreated and the orderly exit side has won the first round. Tusk, the President of the European Council said in a tweet that he told […]Germany not famous for easy way outs from political stalemates
November 23, 2017 by Leave a Comment
And now ‘Frau Bundeskanzlerin’ what? The truth is though whatever the future holds for the German political landscape, is no good. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s failure last weekend to form a government, with a viable parliamentary majority has irreparably stained the so far pristine scenery of the country’s politico-economic affairs. The unsuccessful attempts to convince liberal […]
