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After Merkel rebuke, UK PM May says wants strong partnership with EU


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Posted

After Merkel rebuke, UK PM May says wants strong partnership with EU

REUTERS

 

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Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May attends a campaign event in Twickenham, London, May 29, 2017. REUTERS/Leon Neal/Pool

 

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May said she wanted to maintain a strong partnership with the European Union over security and trade after German Chancellor Angela Merkel suggested the continent could no longer completely rely on Britain.

 

After a bruising set of meetings of G7 wealthy nations and NATO last week, Merkel -- who is seeking re-election in September -- suggested on Sunday that Europeans had to take fate into their own hands, prompting concern in Washington and London.

 

Asked about the comments, May said it was right for the rest of the bloc to look at its future but made it clear that Britain wanted to remain a key partner.

 

"We are not leaving Europe. We are leaving the European Union," she told a campaign event in London.

 

"We continue to want a deep and special partnership with the remaining 27 countries in the European Union and we will continue to be committed to working with others in Europe both in terms of ... a comprehensive free trade agreement but also in terms of our security," she said.

 

May, who called a snap poll for June 8, has seen her lead fall significantly in the wake of the Manchester attack and a U-turn on plans to charge the elderly more for their care.

 

She reiterated on Monday her call for voters to give her a strong mandate and warned of the dangers of a result which gave no party a majority, saying there could be no delay to a June 19 start to Brexit talks.

 

"Those negotiations will start just 11 days after polling day and there won't be any putting it off. It won't be possible to stall it," she said.

 

(Reporting by Costas Pitas; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Alison Williams)

 
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-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-05-30
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Posted

UK choose to leave UE, bye bye, au revoir, Auf Wiedersehen, tot ziens, αντίο, Adiós, adeus, sbohem, arriverdeci .

UK has always been a limiting factor in Europe. With its departure, European integration will move forward.

 

The United States lost its Trojan horse in Europe

Posted

Yet another indication that Trump is alienating all America's former friends.  Little by little, European leaders are gauging what an unreliable dufus Trump is.  It's only natural that Europeans strengthen bonds among themselves.   The US is unreliable - on sharing intel, and other levels.

Posted
5 hours ago, boomerangutang said:

Yet another indication that Trump is alienating all America's former friends.  Little by little, European leaders are gauging what an unreliable dufus Trump is.  It's only natural that Europeans strengthen bonds among themselves.   The US is unreliable - on sharing intel, and other levels.

 

This topic is not about Trump.  You want to turn every topic into a Trump topic.  You make this forum boring.

Posted
6 hours ago, than said:

UK choose to leave UE, bye bye, au revoir, Auf Wiedersehen, tot ziens, αντίο, Adiós, adeus, sbohem, arriverdeci .

UK has always been a limiting factor in Europe. With its departure, European integration will move forward.

 

The United States lost its Trojan horse in Europe

'European integration will move forward.' As will a government of unelected bureaucrats, with names like Juncker and Tusk. Or do you think that's not on the agenda?

Posted
6 hours ago, than said:

UK choose to leave UE, bye bye, au revoir, Auf Wiedersehen, tot ziens, αντίο, Adiós, adeus, sbohem, arriverdeci .

UK has always been a limiting factor in Europe. With its departure, European integration will move forward.

 

The United States lost its Trojan horse in Europe

"The United States lost its Trojan horse in Europe"

 

I hope you're right in this respect.

Posted
6 hours ago, than said:

UK choose to leave UE, bye bye, au revoir, Auf Wiedersehen, tot ziens, αντίο, Adiós, adeus, sbohem, arriverdeci .

UK has always been a limiting factor in Europe. With its departure, European integration will move forward.

 

The United States lost its Trojan horse in Europe

The UK has always been a braking force on the Europhiles in the EU.

 

A kind of barrier against the German and French wishes to control the other countries that still remember the troubles brought on them by the Germans and the French.

 

Maybe, just maybe, a majority of the politicos are Europhiles, but maybe a majority of the people in most countries are not in love with the undemocratic, unchosen, idiots in Brussels earning lots of money while hating the people the say they are doing it for.

 

Of course, Europhiles, like you, want Britain out.

 

I am a Dutchman.

The Netherlands indeed is situated in Europe, that does not make me feel a European.

I am pro Europe, but I am anti EU and most of all anti Euro!

I want my country free of undemocratic  meddling by other countries and I want my guilder back.

 

Posted
2 minutes ago, hansnl said:

The UK has always been a braking force on the Europhiles in the EU.

 

A kind of barrier against the German and French wishes to control the other countries that still remember the troubles brought on them by the Germans and the French.

 

Maybe, just maybe, a majority of the politicos are Europhiles, but maybe a majority of the people in most countries are not in love with the undemocratic, unchosen, idiots in Brussels earning lots of money while hating the people the say they are doing it for.

 

Of course, Europhiles, like you, want Britain out.

 

I am a Dutchman.

The Netherlands indeed is situated in Europe, that does not make me feel a European.

I am pro Europe, but I am anti EU and most of all anti Euro!

I want my country free of undemocratic  meddling by other countries and I want my guilder back.

 

I agree with you that the Euro is a really bad thing. But you are definitely in the minority in the Netherlands as regards attitudes towards the EU.

Posted

Why do all the elected Governments in Europe need another unelected (by the people) Government to impose their laws, financial policy, human rights laws et al on the elected Governments and their people?  Merkel is very unhappy with UK because now they will have to accept a bigger financial liability; Juncker and Co are also very unhappy because they will not have as much money to play with and presumably with reduced responsibilities, they will be due a pay cut and not only that, but their huge pensions will need to be reviewed as well due to Brexit.  Naughty, naughty Brits!

Posted
11 minutes ago, robertson468 said:

Why do all the elected Governments in Europe need another unelected (by the people) Government to impose their laws, financial policy, human rights laws et al on the elected Governments and their people?  Merkel is very unhappy with UK because now they will have to accept a bigger financial liability; Juncker and Co are also very unhappy because they will not have as much money to play with and presumably with reduced responsibilities, they will be due a pay cut and not only that, but their huge pensions will need to be reviewed as well due to Brexit.  Naughty, naughty Brits!

"they will be due a pay cut and not only that, but their huge pensions will need to be reviewed as well due to Brexit."

 

Fingers crossed!  If the EU can sort out its ridiculous pay structure/empire building/waste of money etc. etc.  I'd be inclined to support them.

 

But they've shown no inclination to address the obvious issues.

 

May is right in this respect, a strong partnership is essential (even if/when the UK is no longer part of the EU).

Posted
32 minutes ago, hansnl said:

The UK has always been a braking force on the Europhiles in the EU.

 

A kind of barrier against the German and French wishes to control the other countries that still remember the troubles brought on them by the Germans and the French.

 

Maybe, just maybe, a majority of the politicos are Europhiles, but maybe a majority of the people in most countries are not in love with the undemocratic, unchosen, idiots in Brussels earning lots of money while hating the people the say they are doing it for.

 

Of course, Europhiles, like you, want Britain out.

 

I am a Dutchman.

The Netherlands indeed is situated in Europe, that does not make me feel a European.

I am pro Europe, but I am anti EU and most of all anti Euro!

I want my country free of undemocratic  meddling by other countries and I want my guilder back.

 

In one very important respect you're right about the UK being a braking force on the EU. When the EU wanted to impose stricter regulations on the banks in the wake of the financial meltdown, the UK bravely stood up for the beleaguered bankers and shot the attempt down.

Posted
58 minutes ago, Jonmarleesco said:

'European integration will move forward.' As will a government of unelected bureaucrats, with names like Juncker and Tusk. Or do you think that's not on the agenda?

EU commissioners are proposed by national governments. New legislation has to be agreed upon by member states and passed by the European parliament which is directly elected by EU voters.

Posted

May may want a strong partnership with the EU but it is not up to her.  She has placed herself in a weak position by her irrational rhetoric and stupid threats to walk away without any deal at all.

Posted
1 minute ago, soalbundy said:

EU commissioners are proposed by national governments. New legislation has to be agreed upon by member states and passed by the European parliament which is directly elected by EU voters.

That's a very long-winded way of saying that the electorate has bugger all to say with legislation....

 

Not that it matters very much, as the EU finds nothing wrong with moving itself each month between countries - at vast expense to the taxpayers.

 

Getting back on topic again, May is right in saying that both the UK and EU need a strong partnership - even if/when the UK leaves the EU.

Posted
1 minute ago, dick dasterdly said:

That's a very long-winded way of saying that the electorate has bugger all to say with legislation....

 

Not that it matters very much, as the EU finds nothing wrong with moving itself each month between countries - at vast expense to the taxpayers.

 

Getting back on topic again, May is right in saying that both the UK and EU need a strong partnership - even if/when the UK leaves the EU.

They may both need it but if so, one party needs it a lot more than the other.

Posted
1 minute ago, dick dasterdly said:

That's a very long-winded way of saying that the electorate has bugger all to say with legislation....

 

Not that it matters very much, as the EU finds nothing wrong with moving itself each month between countries - at vast expense to the taxpayers.

 

Getting back on topic again, May is right in saying that both the UK and EU need a strong partnership - even if/when the UK leaves the EU.

The Eu parliament is elected by EU voters, the British parliament is elected by British voters. What say does the average British voter have in legislation ? Jack all.

Posted (edited)
27 minutes ago, dunroaming said:

May may want a strong partnership with the EU but it is not up to her.  She has placed herself in a weak position by her irrational rhetoric and stupid threats to walk away without any deal at all.

Fair enough.

 

So you think if the eventual result is 'no deal' the UK should stop sharing security information with the EU?

Edited by dick dasterdly
Posted
25 minutes ago, dick dasterdly said:

Fair enough.

 

So you think if the eventual result is 'no deal' the UK should stop sharing security information with the EU?

A classic example of a question prompted by motivated reasoning?

I have a question for you: So, if the eventual result is no deal, do you think the nations of the EU should stop sharing security information with the UK?  

Posted
1 hour ago, soalbundy said:

BEU commissioners are proposed by national governments. New legislation has to be agreed upon by member states and passed by the European parliament which is directly elected by EU voters.

Sure as hell they have been proposed by their own Governmaents. Look at the British grinning I...t who deserted his Party as soon as Brexit happened. Brits have to stop crying and get on with it.

Posted
1 hour ago, dunroaming said:

May may want a strong partnership with the EU but it is not up to her.  She has placed herself in a weak position by her irrational rhetoric and stupid threats to walk away without any deal at all.

Is that like the same threats from the EU about wanting between 60 and 100 billion before they will start to talk to us.  Better to walk away than get sent home with a 'just pumped the neighbours cat look on your face', and 60 billion lighter

Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, soalbundy said:

EU commissioners are proposed by national governments. New legislation has to be agreed upon by member states and passed by the European parliament which is directly elected by EU voters.

I think you might find that the UK vetoed Drunker but it happened anyway, so much for all nations having to agree on things

Edited by Caps
Posted
2 hours ago, hansnl said:

 

I want my country free of undemocratic  meddling by other countries and I want my guilder back.

 

 

damn right…i remember going to the oude kirke and spending just 150 guilders …. once the euro got in on it 

the party stopped for me.

Posted
10 hours ago, than said:

UK choose to leave UE, bye bye, au revoir, Auf Wiedersehen, tot ziens, αντίο, Adiós, adeus, sbohem, arriverdeci .

UK has always been a limiting factor in Europe. With its departure, European integration will move forward.

 

The United States lost its Trojan horse in Europe

 

EU integration (Not European)  will move forward as the federalist socialists want. Will the people of the EU be given any choices of the politicians and bureaucrats vision of that integrated EU? Heck no, of course they won't. 

 

And let's not forget Merkel's "suggestion" that there could well be a streamed tiered "integrated EU". Yep, some countries will be more equal members than others. 

Posted
2 hours ago, ilostmypassword said:

In one very important respect you're right about the UK being a braking force on the EU. When the EU wanted to impose stricter regulations on the banks in the wake of the financial meltdown, the UK bravely stood up for the beleaguered bankers and shot the attempt down.

 

Could you explain the actual stricter regulations that the EU wanted, the UK alternative position and how the UK managed to shoot down the EU wishes? 

Posted
1 hour ago, ilostmypassword said:

A classic example of a question prompted by motivated reasoning?

I have a question for you: So, if the eventual result is no deal, do you think the nations of the EU should stop sharing security information with the UK?  

 

Given the past level of intelligence competence exhibited by some EU member states, such as Belgium, then I doubt the EU not sharing information would be a big loss.

 

The UK has the US, Australia, Canada and really should start co-operating with the Russians on intelligence again. Won't miss the EU in that respect, especially as the border will be under more control.

Posted
1 minute ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Given the past level of intelligence competence exhibited by some EU member states, such as Belgium, then I doubt the EU not sharing information would be a big loss.

 

The UK has the US, Australia, Canada and really should start co-operating with the Russians on intelligence again. Won't miss the EU in that respect, especially as the border will be under more control.

Yes, all you really need is intelligence from english speaking countries and Russia. And once the UK controls its borders again, immigration officers will once again have the right to ask people coming in from the Continent, if they are terrorists. Problem solved! Who needs the French, Italians, Germans, Dutch etc when your intelligence service has 007.

Posted
2 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Could you explain the actual stricter regulations that the EU wanted, the UK alternative position and how the UK managed to shoot down the EU wishes? 

 

that is some advantage of British MEPs (Members of European Parlement) vs continental MEPs : 

 

-The British MEPs have received compensation for their travel in their constituency, but not the MEPs, although their constituency is larger.
- A lump sum of just under £ 19,500 was paid to the British MEPs for their expenses at the seat of parliament, whatever the time they actually spent there. The MEPs received £ 150 per day of attendance and had to prove their presence by a signature.
- First class train tickets were given to British MEPs for their wife and children up to thirty times a year. MEPs have not had this privilege.
- The British MEPs received two return tickets per year for each European Parliament or the European Parliament itself. Not the MEPs.
- At the end of their term, the British MPs receive four months of office allowances, when MEPs receive three.

 

(Source Scandalous British privilege in European Parlement  Le Monde 2016)

Posted
1 minute ago, ilostmypassword said:

Yes, all you really need is intelligence from english speaking countries and Russia. And once the UK controls its borders again, immigration officers will once again have the right to ask people coming in from the Continent, if they are terrorists. Problem solved! Who needs the French, Italians, Germans, Dutch etc when your intelligence service has 007.

 

Do you actually have any comment or research that shows the contributions the French, Germans, Italians, Dutch etc are actually making as compared to others in intelligence exchanges? Or is your comment purely based on arguing against English speaking countries, because they speak English, and Russians because they're not in the EU?

 

You may be astounded to read this but 007 is fiction. Not real. Obviously your intelligence on such matters is somewhat lacking as evidenced by the shallow attempt of sarcasm in the post rather than any informed comment.

 

 

 

Posted
8 minutes ago, than said:

 

that is some advantage of British MEPs (Members of European Parlement) vs continental MEPs : 

 

-The British MEPs have received compensation for their travel in their constituency, but not the MEPs, although their constituency is larger.
- A lump sum of just under £ 19,500 was paid to the British MEPs for their expenses at the seat of parliament, whatever the time they actually spent there. The MEPs received £ 150 per day of attendance and had to prove their presence by a signature.
- First class train tickets were given to British MEPs for their wife and children up to thirty times a year. MEPs have not had this privilege.
- The British MEPs received two return tickets per year for each European Parliament or the European Parliament itself. Not the MEPs.
- At the end of their term, the British MPs receive four months of office allowances, when MEPs receive three.

 

(Source Scandalous British privilege in European Parlement  Le Monde 2016)

 

If this is true it is indeed scandalous. It appears the source is a French newspaper. Has this been followed up by other journalists around the EU? Especially in the UK where this wasn't mentioned during Brexit and could have been?

 

Interesting enough but how on earth does it relate to the my question to the statement posted by ilostmypassword? 

 

Hopefully he will respond to my question and enlighten us.

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