Press
Scot influence ‘would wither if poll was not legally binding’
24 January 2020
The Times
Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, a London-based think tank, said that the EU would “look benignly towards Scottish independence” if it was approved in a legally binding referendum. He said: “The reason why the EU has not taken Catalonia’s side in the last couple of years is because the Catalans are pursuing a course of action which the EU perceives as illegal.” He said that if Scotland pursed a law-abiding route the EU could be “very welcoming”.
SPTV: Article 50 enquiry - Withdrawal Agreement and Negotiation of the Future Relationshi
23 January 2020
Charles Grant gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee’s Article 50 Inquiry.
Brexit: MSPs told EU would take London's lead in recognising an independent Scotland
23 January 2020
The Scotsman
Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform said the key thing for the EU was "the question of legality."He said: "The reason the EU has not taken Catalonia's side in recent years is because the Catalans are pursuing a course of action the EU perceives as illegal. So long as Scotland moves towards independence according to the constitution and in co-operation with Westminster, I think the EU would look benignly on Scottish independence.
Trump zeroes in on his next trade target: Europe
23 January 2020
CNN
"The European Union is probably thinking, 'Hey if we can find something to give them, and that keeps tariffs on cars off the table, it makes sense to move forward,'" said Sam Lowe, a senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform.
NfP podcast: Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska on Poland, the EU and rule of law
22 January 2020
In the latest Notes from Poland podcast, our editor-at-large Stanley Bill talks to Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska, senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform in Brussels.
The challenges ahead for EU defense co-operation
22 January 2020
The GMF
As the European Union enters a new institutional era in 2020, its ability to sustain the recent defense momentum will be scrutinized.
Imminent UK Brexit unleashes new EU dynamics
22 January 2020
The Financial Times
Time pressure will “focus minds on the continent and make it easier for the EU-27 to maintain unity”, says Agata Gostynska-Jakubowska of the Centre for European Reform think-tank in Brussels. “The idea that they will crack in the later phase is overplayed.”
Make no mistake: Poland and Hungary aren't the only EU states abusing the law
22 January 2020
The Guardian
Countries from Britain to Greece are guilty of democratic backsliding. And that threatens the integrity of the EU itself.
CER podcast: Democracy and the rule of law in the EU
22 January 2020
Ian Bond and Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska talk to Beth Oppenheim about the decline in respect for the rule of law across the European Union, and discuss possible remedies.
Brexit will undermine Johnson's plans for poorer regions
22 January 2020
Prospect
In September, Boris Johnson told cabinet colleagues that he was “basically a Brexity Hezza.”
The UK and European security co-operation, post-Brexit
22 January 2020
Aspenia Online
The UK’s departure from the EU at the end of January raises the question of what security co-operation between member states and the UK will look like after Brexit.
Judgment time
21 January 2020
The Financial Times
A new report from the Centre for European Reform finds evidence of “widespread” breaches to the rule of law across the EU and calls for Brussels and its top judges to step in when governments don’t heed warnings.
City of London braces for a post-Brexit squeeze
21 January 2020
The Wall Street Journal
“The long-term trend for the EU is to ensure that activity happens inside its borders rather than offshore,” said Sam Lowe, senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform.
Tok FM: Demokracja kontra praworządność
21 January 2020
Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska talks to TOK FM about her latest publication Democracy and the rule of law: Failing partnership?.
Farmers demand law to ensure chlorinated chicken is banned
18 January 2020
The Times
Sam Lowe, of the Centre for European Reform, said that a key question was whether Britain ensured that its regulations remained aligned with the EU to continue trading “relatively freely” or moved towards America. “The broader issue here [with chlorinated chicken] isn’t whether it’s safe or not,” he said. “It’s about our farmers’ future trade with the EU.”
Boris Johnson expected to open trade talks with US before negotiating with the EU
17 January 2020
The Telegraph
Sam Lowe, a trade expert at the Centre for European Reform think-tank, said that if Mr Johnson pushed the button on US-UK talks, it would not pre-determine the outcome. “Staging a big ‘kick-off’ moment is an easy political win for both Johnson and Trump. But it would not surprise me if the UK decides not to publish its objectives, which would require it to publicise exactly what it wants from a deal with the US,” he added.
Europe's gamble: Can it save Iran deal by threatening to kill it?
16 January 2020
The New York Times
It is hard to see those around Mr. Trump, who have opposed the nuclear deal and supported his maximum pressure campaign, granting Iran any concession to get talks started, said Ian Bond, director of foreign policy at the Centre for European Reform.
Quotation of the day: Europe gambles it can save nuclear deal with threat to kill it
15 January 2020
The New York Times
“If you have nuclear weapons you can get love letters from the president, and if you don’t, your generals can get killed.”IAN BOND, the director of foreign policy at the Centre for European Reform, on why he believes Iran will accelerate its nuclear program.
EU sticking to tried and tested approach to Brexit talks
15 January 2020
Encompass
Boris Johnson, fresh from a resounding election victory, is determined to avoid extending the post-Brexit transition period and agree a new partnership with the European Union by the end of the year.
CER podcast: Can Europe overcome its paralysis on Palestine?
15 January 2020
The EU has struggled to take decisive action on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.