European Union

Panel: Political End to Afghan War is Risky but Necessary

An Air Force combat rescue officer from the 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron flies with an Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crew over Kandahar, Afghanistan, during joint training on April 5, 2019. US Air Force Photo

Talks between the United States and the Taliban over Afghanistan’s future remain risky but necessary to reach a political settlement to end decades of war, a leading expert in South Asia security affairssaidMonday.

“The war is going worse and worse” for the Americans...

https://news.usni.org/2019/04/22/political-end-to-afghan-war-is-risky

EU passes Trump trade talks – France disapproves

THE European Union has warned Donald Trump trade talks with the US will be scrapped if he imposes new tariffs or refuses to withdraw existing steel and aluminium duties.

Negotiating directives approved by Brussels aim to eliminate duties for industrial goods and establish joint standards for the testing, inspection and certification of new products. Talks have been ongoing since an agreement was reached between the two sides last July as Brussels continues to hope the US President does not...

https://container-news.com/eu-approves-trade-talks-trump-france-disapproves/

Brexit delay may mean end of May, Implications of exit for UK and EU

Brexit delay may mean end of May, Implications of exit for UK and EU

Commentary: Brexit delay may mean end of May

By James Smith in London

The agreement struck by the EU on the UK’s Article 50 negotiating period was a difficult compromise, with few predicting the six-month extension. Theoretically, that should be long enough to facilitate change, if the political will exists. But one major reason to believe October could be too early is that the UK might have a new prime minister by then....

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2019/04/17/brexit-delay-may-mean-end-of-may-implications-of-exit-for-uk-and-eu/

Brexit commentary | How this extension will benefit businesses

John Perry

Brexit commentary | How this extension will benefit businesses

John Perry, managing director of leading supply chain and logistics consultancy SCALA, commented:

“With the EU leaders granting the UK a further six month extension, we are now in a very interesting, if somewhat precarious position. While May is still seemingly persisting with her withdrawal agreement, others are now seriously discussing the possibility of a second, this time binding, referendum. Meanwhile, the European...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2019/04/11/brexit-commentary-how-this-extension-will-benefit-businesses/

EU gives Britain six more months for Brexit

European Union leaders gave Britain six more months to leave the bloc, more than Prime Minister Theresa May says she needs but less than many in the bloc wanted, thanks to fierce resistance from France.

The summit deal in Brussels in the early hours of Thursday meant Britain will not crash out on Friday without a treaty to smooth its passage. But it offers little clarity on when, how or even if Brexit will happen, as May struggles to build support in parliament for withdrawal terms agreed with...

https://container-news.com/eu-gives-britain-six-months-brexit/

Apple stocks in EU remain enormous

Apple stocks in the EU remain enormous, this spring. At the beginning of March, record volumes were in the storage rooms of European companies: The highest number of the last 12 years. This is reported by analysts of the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association with reference to the reports of the World Pear and Apple Producers Association (WAPA).

According to WAPA calculations, as of March 1, the total reserves of apples in the EU reached 3.099 million tons, which is 1.7 times more than on the...

https://container-news.com/apple-stocks-eu-remain-enormous/

ECSA holds workshop on the practical implementation of IMO GHG strategy

ECSA holds workshop on the practical implementation of IMO GHG strategy

The European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) organised a workshop on the practical implementation of measures to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions, attended by representatives of the European Commission, the European Maritime Safety Agency, the Member States, as well as industry stakeholders and environmental organisations.

The focus was on the opportunities and challenges of reducing the shipping industry’s carbon...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2019/04/03/ecsa-holds-workshop-on-the-practical-implementation-of-imo-ghg-strategy/

May looks for a way out of Brexit maelstrom

European officials said on Tuesday, April 2, the prospect of Britain leaving the European Union without a deal in 10 days time was growing as British Prime Minister Theresa May summoned ministers to try to find a Brexit breakthrough.

May’s proposed withdrawal agreement has been defeated three times by the lower house of the British parliament, which failed on Monday to find a majority of its own for any alternatives.

She is expected to try to put her deal to a fourth vote this week.

The deadlock...

https://container-news.com/may-looks-brexit-maelstrom/

European Ports welcome agreement on CEF II

Isabelle Ryckbost

 European Ports welcome agreement on CEF II

26 March 2019

The European Seaports Organisation (ESPO) welcomes the Common Understanding between the European Parliament and the Council on the future Connecting Europe Facility (CEF II). With its vote on 25 March, the European Parliament’s Transport and Industry Committees confirmed the partial agreement, which sets out the EU’s funding priorities and modalities in the transport sector for the period 2021-2027. The precise budget, as...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2019/03/26/european-ports-welcome-agreement-on-cef-ii/

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