Georgina Wright (on leave until October) @GeorginaEWright Twitter profile

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

4 years

📢 News: After 2 fantastic yrs @instituteforgov , I am excited to be joining the brilliant @i_montaigne in January to cover France's EU priorities, the EU & Franco-British relations.

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@LangmanVince

@flamycain

@asinedoggy

@whyoscarTV

@penyukastw21

@BenHouchen

@Listembourg_Of

@mycafetime

@pengen_stw

@mojosarmy

@mksoamc

@Whitespace_MC

@ravzabolatt

@MinnStFootball

@PellaudSimon

@SATQuestion

@OH_HS_Hockey

@jandakembangstw

@vogue

@donker1345

@Coach_HubbWPS

@xLoqnn

@LukeGriffith11

@KarenGrotberg

@siro_kuro23

@jman28184031

@guadabaz

@lucydacus

@rano_0101

@SevCoHSBaseball

@berkixy

@stokfredrik

@stw_pdg

@milly_potato

@Tante_Binal69

@fem_b11

Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

Powerful intervention by French gov's spokesperson: 1. PM letter does not reflect everything FR has done & is doing to address migration 2. UK refused to send ppl to process asylum claims in France (which wd prevent ppl taking boats) 3. Letter not true to PM-President call

BFMTV

@BFMTV

3 years

Migrants: Gabriel Attal ( @GabrielAttal ) juge la lettre de Boris Johnson "indigente sur le fond et totalement déplacée sur la forme"

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

The EU's decision has literally nothing to do with Brexit or the UK. The EU's new visa scheme was negotiated and voted on *before the UK left the EU*. It was always due to come into force in early 2020s and it applies to most third countries.

Jeremy Vine & Storm Huntley on 5

@JeremyVineOn5

3 years

"This is spite and divisiveness on the part of the EU" British holidaymakers could be charged for entering the EU under new plans for a visa scheme. Is it to be expected because of Brexit or is it unfair? @OwenJones84 | @thecarolemalone | #JeremyVine

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Welsh and Scottish governments and now NI Assembly calling for an extension to the #Brexit transition period

Matthew O'Toole

@MatthewOToole2

4 years

🚨 That's it. The NI Assembly has passed a motion calling for a transition extension until we get through the COVID crisis. For the past 3 years the UK Govenrment said it wanted to listen to NI's representatives. We've spoken - over to them.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

5 years

British Commissioner not mincing his words. He will know: he’s been at the head of the EU’s security brief for almost 3 years.

Julian King

@JulianBKing

5 years

Crass and dangerous. If you think extreme language doesn’t fuel political violence across Europe, incl UK, then you’re not paying attention

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Not this again. UK & EU do NOT have until 31 Dec. To avoid a no-deal cliff edge, UK & EU must: - Conclude a deal - Approve deal (EU voting much more complex this time round) - Give time to businesses to adapt to new trading reality (new forms, delays are border etc)

BBC Politics

@BBCPolitics

4 years

"We've got until the end of December to come up with an agreement," says Conservative MP Mark Francois "[The EU has] blinked once, and I believe if we hold our nerve they will blink again"

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

17 days

Why did Macron decide to dissolve the Assemblée Nationale (🇫🇷 lower house of parliament) & call early legislative elections. Only Macron's immediate entourage know but here are some personal thoughts 🧵:

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Extending the transition period is a lovely idea - in theory. But in practice, it's a total minefield and not clear it can be done in time. Why? Thread.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Lots of talk (& confusion) today about EU ratification & #Brexit . All you need to know in this short thread.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

No. The EU perfectly knows a no-deal outcome is still possible. That’s why they’ve published more than 100 no-deal technical notices so that businesses & individuals prepare. Being cautiously optimistic about a reaching deal does not mean EU think it will happen.

Dom Walsh

@DomWalsh13

4 years

Interesting piece. Think there is something in the argument that the EU still doesn’t quite understand this Downing St. But I don’t agree that No Deal is a smart move politically. And just because it’s not as bad as Covid doesn’t mean we should do it

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

There are several important elements to disentangle here. And imo, biggest long-term problem for City is not EU's onshoring of EU trade but UK's loss of influence over EU banking regulation. Short thread

Robert Peston

@Peston

3 years

This is astonishing. Of course the economic significance of stock exchanges has always been exaggerated. But the idea that Amsterdam’s stock market would eclipse London never felt remotely plausible. Till we chose to leave the EU.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

I don’t focus on Brexit much anymore but this is completely wrong: Macron would never ever have supported this.

Dominic Cummings

@Dominic2306

3 years

@DavidGauke Think outcome wd have been Macron insisting on checks between Ireland and the SM! Cos we'd have refused ANY checks anywhere & Ireland wd not have dared build anything either

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

This misreads the EU's position and the protocol. Thread:

The Telegraph

@Telegraph

4 years

"The Europeans might not like it, but the Prime Minister’s manoeuvre has given Britain a backstop of its own"

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

2 years

Some UK commentators saying the EU is being silly. Perhaps, but from leaders’ perspective & those they represent, it wdn’t necessarily be right to extend invite to a country that 1) doesn’t always take EU foreign policy seriously 2) compares Ukrainians’ fight to Brexit. 1/2

Dave Keating

@DaveKeating

2 years

🇬🇧 officials were apparently expecting @BorisJohnson to be invited to Thursday's 🇪🇺 #EUCO summit with @POTUS (whether Johnson would have accepted was unknown). But after he compared #Ukraine 's self-defence against Russia with #Brexit , EU has not extended any invitation today.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

One of May's biggest negotiating mistakes was that PM was slow to realise that negotiating as a big member state *inside the EU* is completely different to negotiating with the EU *as a third country*. The UK should have had a different negotiating strategy. 1/3

Lisa O'Carroll

@lisaocarroll

3 years

Barnier confesses to being frankly “stupefied” by May's Lancaster House Jan 2017 speech which laid out UK’s red lines. “The number of doors she shut, one after the other ..I am astonished at the way she has revealed her cards … before we have even started negotiating.”

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

That's because the UK will remain part of the single market and customs union during the transition period. That means that the UK and EU will trade on exactly the same terms until the end of 2020.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

Paris showing off..

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

A friend is a freelance journalist in France covering #Brexit . Says last year there was "tons of interest" unlike today. France - and rest of EU - far more concerned with COVID, MFF, borders, China etc. Didn't think it wd change: "US election, not Brexit, will dominate Autumn"

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

In a phone call to @BorisJohnson , Macron is said to have given the UK a clear choice: implement tougher measures to tackle #Covid_19 or France closes its borders to UK nationals. Bold if true.. by @quatremer

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

My take on why refusing to grant the EU representation full diplomatic status is not only silly, but could also damage UK's foreign policy interests:

Not Granting the EU Full Diplomatic Immunity Will Hurt British Interests

Analysis by Georgina Wright, Head of the Europe Program, at Institut Montaigne.

www.institutmontaigne.org

Nick Gutteridge

@nickgutteridge

3 years

Member States have discussed UK refusal to grant EU embassy in London full status. Foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell: 'It's not a friendly signal, the first one UK has sent us immediately after leaving the EU. If things have to continue like this there are no good prospects.'

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

2 years

I've seen people talk about Ukraine joining the #EU . EU cd declare Ukraine a candidate country (strong pol. message) but accession wd take time. Short thread on what it would take :

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

5 years

Reminder that the UK now has 9 days to tell the EU how it wants to proceed. If not, it will leave with no deal. (Reminder, to take no deal of the table Uk must either pass a deal, or stop the process all together. Voting against it does not stop it from happening).

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

2 years

REMINDER: Ukraine and Moldova have not been granted EU candidate status *yet*. Two more things need to happen before - but I expect they will be granted candidate status at next week's European Council. 1/4

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

17 days

9. The case of Trump shows that no amount of incompetence can ever be enough to dissuade voters. And to think French voters will somehow come to a different conclusion than American voters is silly.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

5 years

Reminder: other countries are watching..

US Rep Brendan Boyle

@RepBrendanBoyle

5 years

After agreeing to the Irish backstop, Theresa May’s government has now reneged on it. Why would anyone negotiate with her now? #Brexit

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

2 years

The EU Commission has "recommended" granting Moldova and Ukraine candidate status. Candidate status will be granted after: 1) Majority of MEPs have voted in favour 2) EU27 unanimously endorse. 2/4

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

Genuine #covid question: why doesn't the government make it compulsory to wear facemasks outside (and not just in shops) like they do in other EU countries?! Am shocked at how few ppl wear them on the streets in London.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

The only #Brexit certainties we have are: (1) negotiatiors are still talking; (2) the 31 Dec is the only legal deadline; (3) so negotiators will keep talking so long as they think it necessary; (4) UK & EU will be trading on radically different terms on 1 Jan, deal or no deal.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

5 years

Repeat after me: there is no such thing as a 'no deal-lite'. (i) EU will not agree to 'mini deals' that run until 2021. Also highly unlikely these cd be negotiated in next 16 days. (ii) Temporary measures wd be valid for a couple of months, at best.

John Rentoul

@JohnRentoul

5 years

The so-called Malthouse amendment is actually in the name of Damian Green

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

. @EmmanuelMacron is outlining the programme of the French presidency of the Council of the EU:

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

Gentle reminder that #Brexit is important, but still not no.1 priority for the EU. Those whose job it is to focus on Brexit will be following this week's developments closely - the rest will be focused on Poland, new leadership in Central Europe, coalition talks in Germany, etc.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

6 years

📢 NEWS: After 4 fantastic yrs at Chatham House, I will be joining the brilliant . @instituteforgov in January to cover all matters Brexit.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

2 years

Que se passe-t-il au Royaume-Uni 🇬🇧 ? (C’est le désordre). Liz Truss est-elle tjs au pouvoir ? (Oui, mais sans doute plus pour longtemps). 🧵1/6

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

1 year

How tiring. This summit is *not* about illegal migration but about discussing the challenges & opportunities facing the whole European continent. Pretending otherwise makes the UK look silly.

Rishi Sunak

@RishiSunak

1 year

I’m meeting European leaders in Moldova today, putting tackling illegal migration top of the international agenda. We've already made migration agreements with Albania, France and the EU to stop the boats. This global issue requires collaboration and the UK is taking the lead.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

2 years

France and the UK want to work more closely together and host a 🇫🇷🇬🇧 summit next year. My take on why @trussliz & @EmmanuelMacron are right to do this now (+ thread):

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

This is *quite* the joint statement following US-EU Summit in Brussels today. Calls for greater EU-US cooperation on trade, tech, foreign policy (China/Russia/Africa etc), defence, COVID and climate. And regular talks even when they disagree. 1/3

EU Council

@EUCouncil

3 years

🇪🇺🇺🇸 Today's #EUUS Summit delivered a breakthrough in bilateral #trade . Leaders also discussed: ✅expanding #COVID19 vaccine production capacity ✅working towards a climate-neutral #CircularEconomy ✅ensuring democracy, peace & security 👉Main results:

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

2 months

I was planning to live-tweet @EmmanuelMacron ’s 🇪🇺 speech but the network was saturated. So here is my slightly belated take (thread 1/9):

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

5 years

. @guardian reporting that British diplomats based in Brussels will pull out from EU meetings within days. While this sends a strong political message to EU (UK will leave on 31 Oct), it cd be damaging for UK influence longer-term (short-thread):

British diplomats to pull out from EU decision-making meetings within days

Critics say No 10 move to quit bloc’s institutional structures leaves UK blindsided

www.theguardian.com

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

The only solutions to avoid return of hard border on Ireland were 1) UK joining EEA, 2) Customs arrangement (May deal) or 3) NI protocol (Johnson deal). Now it’s about making NI Protocol work. Otherwise it’s back to options 1 & 2 which UK gov has ruled out. END.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

JUST PUBLISH the legal texts. Would make analysing Brexit and COVID so much easier.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

VERY excited to be joining the @gmfus family as a non-resident fellow starting this month. Mainly commenting on transatlantic relations and British foreign policy. Watch this space...

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

17 days

1. Mix of reasons: end parliamentary deadlock; snap election focuses minds; show what the far-right truly cares about & what it is actually capable of doing; confidence & hubris that Macron can win the French over; rebuild republican camp. Thing is: is this possible in 3 weeks?

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Is the draft EU #mandate that different to the final mandate for negotiations with the UK? Answer: not really but there are some interesting nuggets. Thread:

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

5 years

Not what I heard on a recent visit to Washington. I was told British Embassy was doing a good job at explaining complexities of Brexit and highlighting future opportunities - as well as continuing to work constructively with EU and other embassies in the US.

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump

5 years

I have been very critical about the way the U.K. and Prime Minister Theresa May handled Brexit. What a mess she and her representatives have created. I told her how it should be done, but she decided to go another way. I do not know the Ambassador, but he is not liked or well....

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

This shd surprise absolutely no-one. One of main reasons Paris distrusts Johnson is precisely because of its tactics. View is that every time Macron and Johnson speak, bits of their chat are leaked, twisted & taken out of context. PM letter = broken trust at highest pol level.

BBC Breaking News

@BBCBreaking

3 years

France cancels high-level migrant talks in protest at letter published by UK PM Boris Johnson

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

It’s HERE! @instituteforgov analysis of the UK-EU deal in easy, digestible chunks:

UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement | Institute for Government

The Institute’s initial analysis of the Brexit deal which governs the UK and EU's future trading and security relationship.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

2 years

France in all its glory ⛷

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Exhausting. The EU have always taken the UK's threat of no-deal seriously as I pointed out, in August, here:

No, Brussels is not misreading the UK’s threats of no deal

Contrary to recent reports, the European Union knows Britain could walk away and is preparing accordingly

www.prospectmagazine.co.uk

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Sorry to be a pedant but joint committee role isn’t to identity which GB products are at risk; rather it agrees which products are *NOT* at risk of flowing into EU market. If JC can’t agree, then *all* GB products entering NI will be deemed at risk (with some exceptions)

Katya Adler

@BBCkatyaadler

4 years

Regarding pinning down which goods are deemed at “high risk” of entering Single Market via NIreland. Tough negotiating is expected BUT PM threatening to break contract he signed with EU last year via the Internal Market Bill. That, for EU, isn’t trade negotiating hardball /5

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 months

Macron’s tone is radically different this evening. He no longer talks of Russia, but of the “Kremlin regime” that is becoming “harsher and more aggressive” towards European countries. Some will say he is a bit late - but later better than never.

franceinfo

@franceinfo

4 months

🔴 DIRECT - 🗣 "La mort soudaine d'Alexeï Navalny (...) rappelle la réalité du régime du Kremlin, et son durcissement", estime Emmanuel Macron. "La Russie est rentrée dans une nouvelle phase, et nous devons être lucides sur ce sujet. Une phase d'agression à l'encontre des Etats

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

6 years

As part of the EEA, you can attend regular meetings with the EU, talk about upcoming EU legislation that is likely to affect you and can raise any reservations, sometimes with the support of other non-EU EEA members. Outside, it's more tricky. Just ask Switzerland.

Tom Newton Dunn

@tnewtondunn

6 years

The question will now be fairly begged: what is the difference between a 3 year transition under full EU rules and payments, and 3 year membership of EFTA/EEA?

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

17 days

11. Sometimes a sense that Macron thinks he can charm and win over the French through his words. But many are fed up with him & Macronisme.. and without a strong republican front, coupled with high levels of abstention, it is the extreme parties that stand to win. END

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Also spare a thought for Michel Barnier who is trying to get member states to move - but can only do so if he gives them assurances that the UK can be trusted and convince them that whatever compromise will be adhered to and beneficial to all. Isn't this just fun..

Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Spare a thought for British negotiators right now who, for some areas, are asking more than a Canada deal, but cannot give the EU the guarantees it wants (governance) - instead arguing that the EU should *trust* that the UK will enforce rules.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

17 days

4. ... that Macron won't put up candidates in seats held by centre-left (PS) & centre-right (LR). This does several things: give LR and PS the chance to hold/increase number of seats (good ahead of 2027) & focus their energy on combatting extremes (LFI & RN).

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

2 years

Macron on #Brexit : says French EU Council presidency shd serve to strengthen UK-EU relations post-Brexit. Will be conditional on UK meeting treaty obligations but strong UK-EU relationship essential for the future. Macron cd have ignored UK in speech, he didn't. This matters.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

5 years

And run the risk of being blamed for an accidental no-deal outcome (if deal passes, but not WAB)? Hmmm. Non.

Nick Eardley

@nickeardleybbc

5 years

“The EU can come in and help us” Nigel Evans on @bbc5live says EU should rule out another extension to make sure MPs hurry up and back deal

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

2 years

Reading through the speech, that does *not* appear to be what Macron is saying though? Instead: 1/6

Stanley Pignal

@spignal

2 years

What most East EU countries want: - hard line on Russia - quick enlargement to Ukraine+, no second-tier status - no treaty change - not too much Franco-German EU What Macron said Monday: - don't humiliate Russia - No enlargement, multi-tier EU - change treaties - went to Berlin

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Punchy statement from Germany’s ambassador to the EU.

Miguel Berger

@GermanAmbUK

4 years

In more than 30 years as a diplomat I have not experienced such a fast, intentional and profound deterioration of a negotiation. If you believe in partnership between the UK and the EU like I do then don't accept it.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

17 days

8. Letting RN form a government & do a bad job of it: another theory is that if the RN (far right) wins a relative or absolute majority, it will form a gov and will do "so terribly" that the French will realise how "incompetent they are". If true, this is a terrible strategy too.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

2 years

When French people ask me how the UK is responding to the energy crisis:

Scott Bryan

@scottygb

2 years

#ThisMorning has turned completely dystopian and Black Mirror by offering to pay energy bills as a competition prize.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Ppl in EU genuinely baffled by UK’s latest moves (IM Bill, no time for scrutiny & saying UK wd breach int’ law). Rather than softening EU position (if that ever was UK’s intention), all of this is hardening EU27 - and making Barnier’s job of finding a compromise much, much harder

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

A Biden victory is good for the UK & Global Britain. Why? Quick thread:

Boris Johnson

@BorisJohnson

4 years

Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Spare a thought for British negotiators right now who, for some areas, are asking more than a Canada deal, but cannot give the EU the guarantees it wants (governance) - instead arguing that the EU should *trust* that the UK will enforce rules.

Sam Coates Sky

@SamCoatesSky

4 years

ERG gearing up for a new fight - to get Boris Johnson to scrap the Withdrawal Agreement if there’s no deal Statement:

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

5 years

Barnier is one of the most pro-active EU negotiators to date: identifies stakeholders early on (sometimes before they request a meeting), explains EU position, listens and takes their concerns on board, meets with them again if situation changes. Good for trust & support.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

2 years

If you are in the UK and want to help #Ukraine , the @Ukr_Institute has set up a useful page where you can find out how to donate, support & find out reliable info about what’s going on:

What can you do to support Ukraine & Ukrainians? ‣ Ukrainian Institute London

We have set up a separate page with useful links, information and guidance for UK hosts looking to support Ukrainians and for Ukrainians arriving in the UK. Support for Displaced Ukrainians Humanit...

ukrainianinstitute.org.uk

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Disbelief from French contacts this morning. 1) Decision to close borders had everything to do with COVID, nothing to do with #Brexit ; 2) These sorts of headlines are really not conducive to compromise, au contraire.

Mujtaba Rahman

@Mij_Europe

4 years

I worry that the chaos at Dover over the last few days & France's hardline on fish could give @BorisJohnson the political cover he's seeking to do no deal - by “blaming the French“ & Macron Yes, this is No10 spin. But it could become the narrative to rally Tory MPs & the public

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Heard the same earlier today. EU calling for an “extraordinary” joint committee (i.e. a meeting that wasn’t planned - usually means it’s urgent). EU27 want to give UK the chance to explain the bill, before deciding what to do.

Katya Adler

@BBCkatyaadler

4 years

NEW: An urgent meeting of the EU-U.K. Joint Committee will take place in London tomorrow - called for by Brussels

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

17 days

1. End parliamentary deadlock: 🇫🇷 government has a relative majority in parliament making it v tricky to pass legislation. Macron was always likely to dissolve parliament ahead of budget discussions this yr. But why so soon, and why give only 3 weeks?

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

17 days

3. Higher turnout (2): hope is that more will turn up in 3 weeks to cast their vote & perhaps that French will thank Macron for "listening" and calling election following y'day's result (where far-right got close to 40%). "The President is right: a lot is at stake, let's vote".

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

17 days

7. Overconfident Macron: I can see why this strategy is intellectually persuasive, but it also shows how disconnected Macron can be. Even Gabriel Attal, the PM, is said to have tried to dissuade him from dissolving parliament saying he wd resign instead:

BFMTV

@BFMTV

17 days

"Je suis le fusible": le Premier ministre Gabriel Attal a tenté de dissuader Emmanuel Macron de dissoudre l'Assemblée nationale

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

I agree with this. If EU is seriously considering triggering Art. 16 in NI Protocol, then it needs to realise this will damage UK-EU relations - even if that wasn't the intent.

Mujtaba Rahman

@Mij_Europe

3 years

EU at real risk of squandering the moral high ground its occupied through much of the Brexit process A huge mess/mix of populism, nationalism & protectionism

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

1. Purpose: protocol designed to prevent a hard border between Ireland and NI: the only way to do that was to agree a UK-wide backstop (which PM rejected) OR ensure greater alignment between NI and Ireland & move admin procedures to the Irish Sea. PM negotiated the latter

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

In Paris' eyes, there is one major difference. They don't tweet (or publish) bits of private conversations they've just had with British counterparts. I agree French ministers' tweets far from helpful at times, but they don't tend to disclose private conversations.

Tom McTague

@TomMcTague

3 years

Would love to hear a fair defence of this behaviour. French ministers make ad hominem attacks on UK counterparts—accurate or not—then officially tweet them out, but the publication of a letter crosses a line? This ongoing Anglo-French row is pathetic.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

2 years

But also, while many Europeans take an interest in what UK is doing - many also don’t. UK isn’t sitting around all decision-making tables. It’s also not the US. UK needs to work harder at soft power/influence 2/2

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

17 days

3. Rebuild the Republican front: here is where I think it gets interesting. Macron isn't stupid -- he knows his party wd struggle to get majority. His strategy, as per @steph_sejourne comment y'day, might be to try and rebuild Republican front. This means...

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

6 years

Thanks . @Trevornoah for featuring my interview as . @TheDailyShow ‘s zen moment. I write a bit on Brexit too, if you are interested..

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

I’ve been sceptical of those arguing that the EU’s handling of COVID shows that it is on the brink. Why?

Germany in the EU

@germanyintheeu

4 years

#Breaking : Full text of French-German Initiative for the European Recovery from the #Coronavirus Crisis:

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

17 days

10. RN forming a government: there is also no reason to assume that RN would be "so incompetent" that the French wd suddenly vote differently in 2027. The French administration is good, solid, they'd be surrounded by good advice. Stay radical? Yes. Be incompetent? Not necessarily

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Little (pedantic) plea to journalists covering #Brexit about EU ratification. Quick thread:

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Brexit.. deal or no deal? I’m very excited to chair this *top* panel ahead of next week’s EU Council. We will explore the politics, the technical & the preparations. Registrations will open soon..

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Out of office for a while...

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

1 year

Aujourd’hui à Londres, devant l’Ambassade de Russie.

Led By Donkeys

@ByDonkeys

1 year

Russian Embassy, London

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

This is key to understand EU thinking. EU and member states got *lots* wrong (including unhelpful language). *But* EU has exported more vaccines than anyone else, including 10 million doses to UK. EU citizens asking: why are we exporting so many if few in EU have been vaccinated?

Mujtaba Rahman

@Mij_Europe

3 years

. @McGuinnessEU on Marr “We are being accused of vaccine nationalism... it's actually vaccine internationalism. We have exported to 31 countries...“

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

I'm sorry. What?

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

... but only if the compromise protects the integrity of its single market. This is not news, and neither is the fact that the EU is ready to compromise.

Tom Harwood

@tomhfh

4 years

New from the FT: Brussels buckles.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

17 days

2. Higher turnout: since early 2000s, legislative elections have taken place shortly after presidential election. Turnout tends to be high for presidential election & low for legislative. Ppl think "whatever, we know who the PR will be".

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

I hear this frequently in London & not sure this is right. EU has approached this negotiation exactly the same way it approaches all trade negotiations: (i) identify interests; (ii) appoint right team; (iii) know your trading partner. 1/3

Faisal Islam

@faisalislam

4 years

EU negotiating in good faith? Gove: “some problems in negotiation. EU has found it difficult to see UK as sov equal. Tried to impose ways of working and rules only really appropriate for a country trying to get in to EU. BUT in past two weeks we see movement, now more confident”

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

Two things about the EU: 1. Its deals are technical & legal constructs; not gentlemen's agreement 2. It doesn't operate on trust: but on rules/processes precisely cos member states do not trust each other to comply with them. V unlikely to change approach in FTA talks.

Tony Connelly

@tconnellyRTE

4 years

5/ “We want to know what remedies are available if one side deviates in the future. Because trust is good, but law is better.”

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

70bn still not negligible but tweet highlights important trend across EU. Many businesses started diverting exports away from UK when it became clear UK/EU were heading toward a hard Brexit.

Holger Zschaepitz

@Schuldensuehner

4 years

Good morning from #Germany , where #UK is becoming less important as an export market & hard Brexit is losing much of its fear. Exports to UK have fallen <€70bn in the past 12mths. Britain is now only the 5th most important export mkt for Germany may soon be overtaken by #Italy .

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

HABEMUS A BREXIT DEAL! Huge congratulations & thanks to @DavidGHFrost @MichelBarnier and their teams for hammering out a UK-EU deal that covers more than just trade, in less than 1 yr & during a global pandemic. Enjoy your well-deserved break.. (while we pore over text)

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

2 years

👀 84% of votes have been counted and Mélenchon is creeping up. Are we in for another surprise? Source:

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

EU continues to be the no. 1 exporter of Covid-19 vaccines in the world. By 11 May, it had exported 200 million doses. Today, EU leaders have pledged a further 100 million.

EU leaders agree to donate 100M vaccine doses

Italy, France and Germany have already pledged 75 million doses together.

www.politico.eu

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

Instead, UK's point of departure was where it wanted to end up (red lines and later "3 baskets approach"). Many in UK Parliament assumed that's what UK wd get. This made any compromise harder, if not impossible to sell. (And yes, experts were warning this at the time..). END

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

This this, and not fish, is the biggy for *all* EU27. And they won’t move on fish until they feel confident that there is a satisfactory governance structure in place - underpinned by detail.

Katya Adler

@BBCkatyaadler

4 years

Macron added «The second issue we need to have fair conditions between the UK and EU to assure us that we have a level playing field on state aid and regulations, especially socially and environmentally. Brexit should not create social or environmental ‘dumping’ on our border »/2

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

3 years

Why? His two lines throughout Brexit talks were: 1) UK cannot have better deal outside than inside EU and 2) there can be no weakening (or divisions) within Single Market (SM). FR more likely to have backed no deal than deal that saw checks between Ireland and rest of SM.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

2 years

I can't ever remember the EU ever acting on so many fronts (sanctions ; asylum ; political statements; etc) with such unity, so quickly.

Katya Adler

@BBCkatyaadler

2 years

EU announces it has agreed unanimously amongst all member countries to take in Ukrainian refugees fir up to 3 years without asking them to first apply for asylum. Just been announced following a meeting of EU Interior ministers

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

1 year

Never gets old.

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

5 years

Great thread by @HeleneBismarck . Echoes my view: EU consistent & putting fwd same conditions (“UK needs workable alternatives for substantial talks”). Merkel open, but cautious. Nothing new there.

Helene von Bismarck

@HeleneBismarck

5 years

Just watched the Merkel & Johnson press conference in German. Let me assure you that UK press reports presenting this as some kind of turning point are completely overblown. There is no reason to hope for a breakthrough, but equally there is no reason to give up entirely.Thread1

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

A thread on what I think the #Brexit mood is like in Brussels right now:

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Georgina Wright (on leave until October)

@GeorginaEWright

4 years

1. Should you care about EU ratification? Yes. Brexit talks ongoing – but they're only part of the challenge. UK & EU also need time to vote & get ready for change.

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