In Ankara VDL is denied a chair, Northern Ireland violence is hard to bear and Eurostar’s failing and the Brits don’t care.
This episode is supported by the European Cancer Patient Coalition, more about them later on.
On Tuesday European Council President Charles Michel tweeted to the world:
In Ankara, ready with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to start discussions with
Turkish President Erdogan on the future of EU-Turkey relations.
Sustained de-escalation is needed to build a more constructive agenda.
In Ankara, ready with @vonderleyen to start discussion with @RTErdogan on the future of EU-Turkey relations.
Sustained de-escalation is needed to build a more constructive agenda. pic.twitter.com/pNyQPwUc5m
— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) April 6, 2021
So, ermmm, that’s aged well!
You couldn’t really make up what happened next.
As Le Chou reported: 2 Seats, 3 Presidents: Michel, Von Der Leyen and Erdogan In Tense Stand-Off In Ankara.
2 Seats, 3 Presidents: Michel, Von Der Leyen and Erdogan In Tense Stand-Off In Ankara pic.twitter.com/DBEQgu4CDN
— Le Chou (@LeChouNews) April 6, 2021
Mr Chou! Aren’t you supposed to be doing satirical news?? Don’t throw us off with this sort of accurate reporting.
Efi Koutsokosta pointed out that Turkey’s President showing disrespect for a female leader for political gains is no surprise. But EU leadership getting embarrassingly outplayed by an autocrat regime, that’s why Michel’s non-reaction is much more annoying.
#Turkey’s President showing disrespect for a female leader for political gains. No surprise so far.But EU leadership gets embarrassingly outplayed once more by another autocrat regime,showing no political reflexes.That’s why Michel’s (no)reaction,is much more annoying. #SofaGate https://t.co/PnrhrPrPQu
— Efi Koutsokosta (@Efkouts) April 7, 2021
Diplomatic seating arrangements are not chance or ‘an accident’, they’re an exertion of power. Failure to provide an equal seat to von der Leyen is a synonym for Erdogan’s game towards Brussels & state of women’s rights in Turkey, pointed out Alexandra Brzozowski.
Diplomatic seating arrangements are not chance or ‘an accident’, they’re an exertion of power. Failure to provide an equal seat to @vonderleyen is a synonym of @RTErdogan’s game towards Brussels & state of women’s rights in #Turkey. https://t.co/Xf4frtUDxT
— Alexandra Brzozowski (@alex_owski) April 6, 2021
EU to convene a Conference on the Furniture of Europe snarked American EU Dude.
BREAKING: EU to convene a Conference on the Furniture of Europe #SofaGate
— American EU Dude 🇺🇸🇪🇺😎 (@AmericanEUDude) April 7, 2021
It is not that ‘Charles Michel should have offered his chair to vdl’. Come on. It’s not about stale chivalry. It is politics and image. And diplomacy. Stay there standing up until another chair is in the room. Make THEM feel uncomfortable in front of the cameras urged Pablo Perez.
It is not that 'Charles Michel should have offered his chair to vdl'. Come on. It's not about stale chivalry. It is politics and image. And diplomacy. Stay there standing up until another chair is in the room. Make THEM feel uncomfortable in front of the cameras. And stay strong.
— Pablo Pérez (@PabloPerezA) April 7, 2021
Henceforth to avoid confusion between EU institutional presidents, Charles Michel will be known as ‘Chairman.’ quipped Berlaymonster.
To avoid confusion in future between EU institutional presidents, Charles Michel will be known henceforth as 'Chairman.'
— Berlaymonster (@Berlaymonster) April 7, 2021
This episode is supported by the European Cancer Patient Coalition who are launching a joint letter signed by 292 stakeholders showing the cancer community’s willingness to support governments in their effort to help cancer patients globally! Find out more by following the #COVID19andCancer
❗ We are launching a joint letter showing the cancer community's willingness to support governments in their effort to help cancer patients globally! Thanks to the 292 cancer stakeholders that have supported the initiative #COVID19andCancer
➡️https://t.co/13BX66yHQD pic.twitter.com/drmUJMbEw4
— ECPC (@cancereu) April 7, 2021
In more worrying news, violence in Northern Ireland has been escalating in recent weeks.
Darren McCaffrey shared these images of another bus set on fire on the Shankill Road in Belfast
WATCH: Looks at least one other bus set on fire on the Shankill Road in Belfast pic.twitter.com/0yFyLP9JtV
— Darren McCaffrey (@DarrenGBNews) April 7, 2021
A shocked Jennifer Cassidy, tweeted, these are pictures from TODAY in Northern Ireland. Not 1971. Not 1981. Not 1991. But 2021. Where is the front page coverage in mainland UK? She asked. Because it seems the media have taken the view: what happens in Northern Ireland, stays in Northern Ireland.
Pictures from TODAY in Northern Ireland. Not 1971. Not 1981. Not 1991. But 2021. Where is the front page coverage in mainland UK of a peace project cracking at the seams? Because it seems the media have taken the view: what happens in Northern Ireland, stays in Northern Ireland. pic.twitter.com/0r5Vt3OSxz
— Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (@OxfordDiplomat) April 6, 2021
British PM Boris Johnson did eventually say that he was deeply concerned by the scenes of violence in Northern Ireland.
I am deeply concerned by the scenes of violence in Northern Ireland, especially attacks on PSNI who are protecting the public and businesses, attacks on a bus driver and the assault of a journalist. The way to resolve differences is through dialogue, not violence or criminality.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 7, 2021
I wish there had been some sort of clue that introducing a border in the Irish Sea could destabilise the peace process in Northern Ireland, said Marc Davenant.
I wish there had been some sort of clue that introducing a border in the Irish Sea could destabilise the peace process in Northern Ireland. pic.twitter.com/ujuuE6rhbJ
— Davenant 📸 (@MarcDavenant) April 8, 2021
David Schneider went further: It’s not the Protocol that’s to blame for the disturbances and tension in Northern Ireland. It’s Brexit.
Interesting fact.
It’s not the Protocol that’s to blame for the disturbances and tension in Northern Ireland. It’s Brexit.— David Schneider (@davidschneider) April 7, 2021
Simon Ubsdell said, “England voted for this. It was warned. It didn’t care. It still does not. It never will.”
England voted for this.
It was warned.
It didn't care.
It still does not.
It never will.
— Dr Simon Ubsdell (@SimonUbsdell) April 3, 2021
Matthias Eberl reminded us that in the 5 years since the EU referendum, nobody has ever come up with a workable plan on how to ‘take back control’ of the UK’s borders and leave single market and customs union while respecting the Good Friday Agreement and ensuring frictionless trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
A reminder that in the 5 years since the EU referendum nobody has ever come up with a workable plan how to 'take back control' of the UK's borders and leave single market and customs union while respecting the GFA and ensuring frictionless trade between GB and Northern Ireland. pic.twitter.com/PCk3V4bnzn
— Matthias Eberl (@eberlmat) April 7, 2021
I could say “told you so”, but that honestly makes no one feel any better about this.
And finally this week another sad fallout from Brexit: The Eurostar.
Mujtaba Rahman described it as a big symbolic casualty – & metaphor – for Brexit
Sad. €Star a big symbolic casualty – & metaphor – of Brexit
“The UK Govt has maintained that the French state & private shareholders should be primarily responsible for any rescue, with both France & UK reluctant to move first & lose negotiating power“https://t.co/0vgpkQMtrM
— Mujtaba Rahman (@Mij_Europe) April 6, 2021
Holger Hestermeyer explained the problem. Eurostar is a UK company with HQ in London, but 55% owned by SNCF. Once this mix was a sign of trust and friendship. Now it means that the UK won’t assist a French majority-owned company while France won’t assist a UK company.
When cooperation breaks down: Eurostar is a UK company with HQ in London, but 55% owned by SNCF. Once this mix was a sign of trust and friendship. Now it means that the UK won’t assist a French majority owned Co while France won’t assist a UK company.
— Holger Hestermeyer (@hhesterm) April 6, 2021
Or, as leave EU put it:
Absolutely right! Any minister that proposes British taxpayers bailing out a company majority owned by the French state before Macron sticks his hand in his own pocket should be sacked on the spot!
Absolutely right! Any minister that proposes British taxpayers bailing out a company majority owned by the French state before Macron sticks his hand in his own pocket should be sacked on the spot!
— Leave.EU (@LeaveEUOfficial) April 7, 2021
Jon Worth wondered if a name change might be what it takes to save Eurostar…
And really, if this is what it takes to save Eurostar… pic.twitter.com/fY5bh0L4v0
— Jon Worth (@jonworth) April 7, 2021
But there is some good train news this week. A new night train start-up promises its first route will be Brussels-Amsterdam-Berlin-Prague, starting in mid 2022.
🚂 Night-train start-up @EuropeanSlpr's first route will be Brussels-Amsterdam-Berlin-Prague, starting in mid 2022. Lots of stars to align before that debut run but it's hard not to get excited about this as a prospect pic.twitter.com/2pgPnlpq8Q
— Sam Morgan (@SamJamesMorgan) April 6, 2021
Hurrah! Who needs London!?
Join me again next week for more news that’s snarky and the usual malarky.