Page 8 - ARUBA TODAY

A8 WORLD NEWS
Thursday 21 February 2019

UK’s May, EU chief call latest Brexit talks ‘constructive’

By RAF CASERT wrap up negotiations.
JILL LAWLESS “Time is of the essence, and
Associated Press it’s in both our interests that
BRUSSELS (AP) — After the when the U.K. leaves the
resignations of three of her EU, it does so in an orderly
party’s lawmakers over way,” said May.
Brexit, British Prime Minister The difficulties finding a
Theresa May came away proper way out of the crisis
from more talks on prevent- over Brexit has created Brit-
ing the U.K. from crashing ain’s biggest parliamentary
out of the European Union crisis in decades.
with both she and the Brexit-driven political cracks
EU’s chief deeming their yawned wider Wednesday
meeting “constructive” as three pro-European law-
Wednesday. No break- makers quit May’s ruling
through was announced Conservatives to join a new
from the dinner meeting at centrist group of indepen-
EU headquarters in Brussels dents who oppose May’s
between May and Europe- determination to take Brit-
an Commission President ain out of the EU with or
Jean-Claude Juncker. without a divorce deal.
But a joint communique Anna Soubry, Heidi Al-
from the two promised len and Sarah Wollaston
their respective negotiat- British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, is greeted by European Commission President Jean-Claude resigned to join eight ex-
ing teams “would contin- Juncker prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. opposition Labour Party
ue to explore the options Associated Press lawmakers in an alliance
in a positive spirit.” Since ain’s withdrawal because the historic significance of Mrs. May is responsible dubbed the Independent
Juncker had said ahead lawmakers in Parliament setting the EU and the U.K. for this injury on my face,” Group. The defections
of time he expected little have refused to approve it. on a path to a deep and Juncker said before wel- mark the biggest shake-up
to come from the meeting, But the EU has steadfastly unique future partnership.” coming the prime minister in decades for Britain’s po-
their second this month, refused to reopen the 585- At home in London, May to Brussels during a stilted litical parties.
the characterization of it page legal text. The state- took big hit. She lost three ceremony that did not in- U.K. lawmakers object to a
turning out to be construc- ment from Juncker and Tory legislators earlier in clude a kiss or a handshake border provision between
tive could be considered a May said they discussed the day over her handling like previous occasions. the U.K.’s Northern Ireland
decent outcome. “We’ve possible “alternative ar- of the Brexit negotiations. The stalemate over the di- and EU member Ireland
made progress,” said May. rangements” and changes They resigned to join a new vorce deal has raised fears that would keep the U.K. in
She and Juncker agreed to to an accompanying politi- centrist group. of Britain leaving without an a customs union with the EU
have another meeting be- cal declaration as potential Still, it was Juncker who agreement on its departure until a permanent new trad-
fore the end of the month. options. Brexit is currently set looked most beaten up or future relations with the ing relationship is in place.
It could come as soon as to take place on March 29. when their meeting in Brus- EU, a scenario that could May wants to change the
an EU-Arab League summit The joint statement said ne- sels started, with a band present severe economic deal’s phrasing to make
in Egypt starting Sunday. gotiators from the two sides aid on his left cheek, the disruptions for both sides. sure that the mechanism to
May has been trying to per- “will review progress again result of a bad shaving ex- It has also raised the possi- ensure an open Irish border
suade the EU to revise the in the coming days, seized perience. bility of May’s government after Brexit would only ap-
draft agreement on Brit- of the tight timescale and “I don’t want you to think seeking to delay its exit to ply temporarily.q

French far-right EU candidate says his party equals progress

By ELAINE GANLEY ten.” Most French parties Le Pen made it to the run-
Associated Press have yet to announce their off of the 2017 French presi-
NANTERRE, France (AP) — candidates for the Europe- dential election, where she
The top far-right candidate an elections. France votes suffered a huge defeat
seeking to represent France on May 26, the last of four facing the upstart centrist,
in the European Parliament days of balloting across the and now president, Em-
said Wednesday his party’s 27 remaining EU countries manuel Macron.
goal to extract and protect after Britain exits. Bardella said in an interview
people from a globalized However, the early start by that Macron, a staunch de-
world epitomizes progress. National Rally reflects the fender of a strong EU, often
Jordan Bardella, 23, hopes will of the party previously contrasts nationalists to
to become the youngest called National Front to progressives. But Bardella
lawmaker in the EU parlia- outdo its performance from thinks “Macron defends
ment. Accompanied by the last EU election, when it ideas that are completely
Marine Le Pen, leader of won more votes than any square, obsolete,” like free
the anti-immigration Na- other French party. trade, open borders and
tional Rally, Bardella al- The party, running with the globalization. “Progress to-
ready has made campaign slogan “Give Power to the day is called localism. It’s
Head of Marine Le Pen’s party list for the European Parliament stops in small towns and vil- People,” is convinced it called defending borders.
elections, Jordan Bardella speaks during an interview with lages to promote the par- can catch momentum this It’s called protectionism,”
Associated Press in Nanterre, outside Paris, Wednesday, Feb. ty’s view on what they call year from populist gains he said. “I think it’s we who
20, 2019.
Associated Press the “France of the forgot- around Europe. truly defend progress.” q