Music masterminds duo is ended, Europe’s vaccine policy needs to be mended and Farewell Mr Barnier, you were totally splendid.
This week we are supported by Ceemet, the European employers’ organisation representing metal, engineering and technology-based industries. More about them later on.
Is there anything that falls into the category of “technically French but really, in essence, German” as much as Daft Punk? Asked Ishaan Tharoor.
Is there anything that falls into the category of "technically French but really, in essence, German" as much as Daft Punk?
— Ishaan Tharoor (@ishaantharoor) February 22, 2021
To which Dimitar Bechev retorted: The European Union
The European Union https://t.co/ouqrmFv3Zi
— Dimitar Bechev (@DimitarBechev) February 22, 2021
Fair point Dimitar.
Lewis Crofts was reeling that there was been no EU Commission press release on the break-up of Daft Punk.
I'm still reeling that there's been no @EU_Commission press release on the break-up of Daft Punk.
— Lewis Crofts (@lewis_crofts) February 23, 2021
But Craig Winneker reckoned the spokesperson’s service was planning a Daft Punk tribute at the Midday Briefing
They're planning a Daft Punk tribute at the Midday Briefing pic.twitter.com/kdymBTGgg6
— Winneker (@CraigWinneker) February 23, 2021
Cue Le Chou: Daft Punk Quit Music Biz, Hired As Commission Spokesbots
Daft Punk Quit Music Biz, Hired As @EU_Commission Spokesrobots pic.twitter.com/bbSe1PEeGq
— Le Chou (@LeChouNews) February 22, 2021
Well they are a bit more human, after all, snarked American EU Dude
The Commission is going for spokespeople who are a bit more human, after all https://t.co/tgb7xHAs10
— American EU Dude 🇺🇸🇪🇺😎 (@AmericanEUDude) February 23, 2021
Asked about the flailing vaccine rollout strategy, the spokesperson vowed to try harder, better, faster, stronger quipped Martini Seltzermayr.
Asked about the flailing vaccine rollout strategy, the spokesperson vowed to try harder, better, faster, stronger
— Martini Seltzermayr (@mseltzermayr) February 23, 2021
And speaking of…
A year ago, EU leaders met for the first time to negotiate the budget and only around 100 COVID19 cases had been confirmed in Europe. Countries were fighting over a few million euros. Five months and thousands of cases later, they ended up topping it up with a €750bn recovery fund.
A year ago, EU leaders met for the first time to negotiate the budget. Only around 100 #COVID19 cases had been confirmed in Europe & countries were fighting over a few million euros. Five months and thousands of cases later, they’d end topping it up with a €750bn recovery fund.
— Beatriz Ríos (@BeaRios_) February 20, 2021
Ahead of this week’s Council Belgian PM Alexander de Croo delivered a letter to Council President, Charles Michel, with the clear message that vaccine production in the EU needs to get boosted. With no time to waste.
Ahead of tomorrow’s #EUCO, 🇧🇪 PM @alexanderdecroo together with heads of state of 🇩🇰🇱🇹🇵🇱 & 🇪🇸 delivered letter to @eucopresident.
Clear message: #COVID19 vaccine production in 🇪🇺 needs to get boosted. Full support for plans to create EU Biodefense Programme.
No time to waste. pic.twitter.com/Suij32K3vU
— Belgium in the EU (@BelgiumEU) February 24, 2021
The letter signals the growing risk of COVID19 becoming endemic & how to bolster our defence mechanism. EU officials say it will be “key” our ability to adapt to the mutations of the virus. That’s why EU leaders are holding videoconferences every month.
The letter signals the growing risk of #COVID19 becoming endemic & how to bolster our defence mechanism. EU officials say it will be "key" our ability to adapt to the mutations of the virus. That's why EU leaders are holding videoconferences every month… #EUCO
— Jorge Valero (@europressos) February 24, 2021
C’mon Europe, shift yer arse, said a frustrated Bruno Waterfield.
C'mon Europe, shift yer arse https://t.co/oZiYHB2mbx
— Bruno Waterfield (@BrunoBrussels) February 22, 2021
Same message, fewer words!
We’re still on track for a scenario where German media pundits absolutely lose it because Romania, Poland and Lithuania wrap up their vaccination programmes before Germany does, mused Alexander Clarkson.
We're still on track for a scenario where German media pundits absolutely lose it because Romania, Poland and Lithuania wrap up their vaccination programmes before Germany does
— Alexander Clarkson (@APHClarkson) February 22, 2021
I am running out of words to describe what is happening. There are three groups of countries. Those wealthy enough to vaccinate citizens, those who cannot afford it – and the European Union – said Bruno Macaes
I am running out of words to describe what is happening. There are three groups of countries. Those wealthy enough to vaccinate its citizens, those who cannot afford it – and the European Union pic.twitter.com/HtwETh9Xwq
— Bruno Maçães (@MacaesBruno) February 22, 2021
This week we are supported by Ceemet, the European employers’ organisation representing metal, engineering and technology-based industries. Read more about minimum wages and collective bargaining systems online.
Out of the spotlight of the #EUminimumwages proposal: undermining existing & successful collective bargaining systems.
Read more about why the proposal is an attack on collective bargaining systems in the #EU : https://t.co/FXnGAZbgXp pic.twitter.com/CsxFZVZz14
— Ceemet (@CEEMET) February 8, 2021
Finally this week…just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water … Brexit!
Or more correctly Michel Barnier who seemed pleased to be at his very last COREPER meeting on #Brexit and EU-UK relations.
My last COREPER meeting on #Brexit and 🇪🇺🇬🇧 relations!
Thanks to the hard work & dedication of Ambassadors and Brexit Delegates from the 27 Member States, as well as Jeppe, Didier and the whole Council team, we maintained our unity & ensured success throughout the negotiations. pic.twitter.com/wg1eTBDhB3
— Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) February 24, 2021
Barnier will leave his Brexit job at the end of the month.
And will leave a hole in the heart of BBC correspondent Adam Fleming that will be hard to fill.
My favourite Brexit Coreper was when we waited outside for 7 hours while the cabinet deliberated in London, then his team had to leave with loads of cardboard boxes and pretend they weren’t filled with copies of the Withdrawal Agreement, he reminisced.
MB’s farewell tour continues. My favourite #Brexit Coreper was when we waited outside for 7 hours while the cabinet deliberated in London, then his team had to leave with loads of cardboard boxes and pretend they weren’t filled with copies of the Withdrawal Agreement. https://t.co/g8D6kqlahl
— Adam Fleming (@adamfleming) February 24, 2021
Ewan Macphee preferred that time Barnier went out looking for a level playing field.
Unity with a sense of humour. Bonne chance. pic.twitter.com/Xh3tVqiend
— Ewan Macphee (@EwanCMacphee) February 23, 2021
“You bow to no one Mr Barnier,” said MEP Assistant.
You bow to no one Mr Barnier.
We do. https://t.co/AVHl7WkoFH pic.twitter.com/QJy6lEnx9l— mepassistant (@mepassistants) February 24, 2021
Indeed!