BRUSSELS: European Parliament Brexit chief Guy Verhofstadt warned Tuesday there had not been enough progress in talks so far to move on to negotiations on a future EU-Britain trade deal.
European Union leaders are set to decide at a summit in late October whether talks on divorce issues, including the bill Britain must pay, have made enough headway to start discussions on future relations.
Verhofstadt urged British Prime Minister Theresa May to address the parliament as part of the negotiating process, but another senior MEP warned she would be “out of her depth.”
Verhofstadt, a former Belgian prime minister, told a news conference in Strasbourg, France, where the parliament is meeting: “For the moment we don’t see sufficient progress, clearly.”
MEPs are set to vote on a motion early next month about whether there has been enough progress.
The European Parliament will have the final vote on any Brexit deal when Britain leaves in March 2019.
Verhofstadt said May should give a speech to all 750 members of the European Parliament in public, after she said she would only address its top officials behind closed doors.
Manfred Weber, the head of the largest group in the EU parliament, the European People’s Party, agreed that “the progress is not really that strong.”
“It seems to be that Great Britain is still thinking that they can follow the full cherry picking approach, I think that will not work,” said Weber, a German MEP who is a key ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Brussels insists Britain cannot “cherry pick” benefits of EU membership, such as the single market, while opting out of things it doesn’t like, such as open immigration of European nationals.
It also says Britain — which voted to leave the EU in a referendum last year — must settle the divorce terms first before discussing a future trade deal.
With the European Parliament effectively having a veto on any Brexit deal, its members say Britain needs to do more to convince them.
Greens leader Philippe Lambaerts said that May “gives me the impression of being, to use an English expression, out of her depth.”
“If I was her media consultant I would tell her not to come here because she would have to take more punches than she would be able to give.”
EU Parliament chiefs say not enough Brexit progress
EU Parliament chiefs say not enough Brexit progress
Royal Commission for AlUla, SURJ partner to develop sports sector
RIYADH: The Royal Commission for AlUla has signed a memorandum of collaboration with SURJ Sports Investment to explore the development of sports programs and content in AlUla, evaluate opportunities for joint investment, and assess potential hosting of high‑quality sporting events, thereby strengthening AlUla’s position as a global destination for sport and major events.
The memorandum seeks to establish a framework for future collaboration in the field of sports investment, the activation of initiatives and programs related to hosting tournaments and events, and the exploration of opportunities within SURJ’s investment portfolio, in alignment with the commission’s strategic directions and in support of diversifying the sports landscape in the governorate.
The areas of cooperation include exploring opportunities to host and activate the Professional Fighters League MENA series in AlUla, developing tennis and polo, as well as cycling, athletics, and show jumping.
This also includes assessing investment opportunities in complementary sports content, recovery and rehabilitation programs, training camps, and the attraction of international championships, contributing to the strengthening of AlUla’s presence on global sporting calendars.
The memorandum further provides for cooperation in evaluating and developing polo in AlUla, including studying the possibility of awarding multi-year hosting rights starting from 2027, in line with AlUla’s long-term vision for the development of equestrian and heritage sports.
The Royal Commission for AlUla and SURJ Sports Investment emphasized the importance of integration in developing year-round promotional and activation opportunities, and leveraging SURJ’s intellectual property rights and content, contributing to the establishment of a comprehensive, multi-sport ecosystem in AlUla that supports its economic and developmental objectives.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its strategic partnerships and strengthening the role of the sports sector as a key driver of sustainable development, reflecting AlUla’s position as a leading destination for sporting and cultural events at both local and global levels.
