Research
Theresa May shows why the EU matters
23 March 2018
Financial Times
“If Mrs May had not been at the table yesterday, she would have been relying entirely on the leaders of France, Germany and others to make her points [about the Skripal case] for her,” says Ian Bond of the Centre for European Reform, a think-tank.“That would have been a pretty tough thing to do. The French and Germans are obviously concerned about what the Russians are doing. But this isn’t their fight.”
Ukraine is no blueprint for Brexit success
23 March 2018
EurActiv
As European leaders gather once again in Brussels, the European Parliament has recommended the UK consider an association agreement with the EU after Brexit.
Behind the scenes: Distrust of EU boils over in Italy's election
23 March 2018
The Japan News
“Economically and geographically, Italy is on the front line and it has been pounded,” said Luigi Scazzieri, a research fellow at the Centre for European Reform. “There was a perception that the European Union couldn’t be relied on at that time, and that Italy had been abandoned. That sentiment came to the fore in this election.”
The EU is becoming more British
23 March 2018
Financial Times
Member-states are taking back control of the Brussels machinery from the European Commission, argues Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska at the Centre for European Reform: "The outcome of the leaders’ discussions chimes with the original British vision for the EU, whereby the member-states have a strong voice in EU decision-making, and keep the European Parliament and the Commission at arm’s length. But the irony of Brexit is that the EU is becoming more British just as the UK is leaving the EU."
Европа в поисках врага
22 March 2018
Izvestia
— Но события в Солсбери сделают сложные отношения хуже, — сказал «Известиям» директор по внешней политике базирующегося в Лондоне Центра европейской реформы Ян Бонд.
In Brexit give-and-take, Britain gives and the EU takes
21 March 2018
The New York Times
Though David Davis, Britain’s Brexit secretary, trumpeted on Monday the fact that Britain would be able to negotiate and sign non-European trade deals during the transition, if not to implement them, experts were unimpressed. Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, a research institute, describes that as a “token,” since prospects of such talks being completed during the transition period were remote. “I don’t think that’s a real concession,” he said.
Is the West too soft on Putin?
21 March 2018
Euronews
Russian presidential 'elections' lack any element of suspense.
Ireland's border is a problem it can't afford to leave unsolved
20 March 2018
The Guardian
The border issue could still wreck Brexit talks. But no-deal would damage Ireland almost as much as it would Britain.
This 'status quo' Brexit transition deal gives Theresa May some breathing space - but major collision over Ireland is imminent
20 March 2018
The Telegraph
As Sam Lowe at the Centre for European Reform puts it, since Mrs May is determined to leave the customs union and single market, businesses that deal with the EU are “far from sanguine”. Supply chains will still need to be reconfigured in short order; new business processes put in place and the inevitable coming frictions at the EU border will require adjustments. “While the cliff edge has been pushed back,” he says. “It is still very much on the horizon.”
Call for delayed Brexit day and longer transition splits MPs
18 March 2018
The Observer
Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, said it was likely the UK would get an accord on the terms of the transition at this week’s EU summit. “Only one thing could prevent a deal: if the British cannot convince Dublin they are making progress towards achieving a barrier-free Irish border, the Irish could veto a transition,” he said. “But that seems unlikely.”
Cracking the EU
16 March 2018
Financial Times
John Springford, Samuel Lowe and Beth Oppenheim at the Centre for European Reform write comprehensively on why the Brits will have a hard time cracking the EU-27 in Brexit trade talks. Jim Brunsden examines if May can solve her customs conundrum.
Rules of origin: The biggest Brexit problem you didn't know about
16 March 2018
Prospect
“Rules of origin are going to be one post-Brexit additional cost to business that no amount of innovative thinking or new and unusual technology can stave off,” Sam Lowe, a trade expert at the Centre for European Reform told me. The CBI agrees. “For the 135,000 businesses who currently only export to the EU,” it writes in a new report, rules of origin will “be a huge and unprecedented administrative challenge.”
Sorry Britain, EU countries won't break ranks over post-Brexit trade
16 March 2018
Politico
Theresa May has finally spelled out some of the “hard facts” of Brexit, but she’s still holding out hope for that seemingly impossible sweetheart deal: market access as close as possible to the UK’s current arrangement, but with fewer obligations.
Meet the Brexit negotiators: David Davis and Michel Barnier
15 March 2018
Financial Times
“Davis, with his breezy self-confidence, sometimes finds it hard to connect with Barnier, who sticks firmly to the rigorous principles of the EU’s legal order,” says Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform.
Britain hints at tougher blow against Russia: Stripping tycoons' assets
15 March 2018
The New York Times
For Russians, part of Britain’s draw was its offer of legal shelter; it refuses extradition requests from Russia. British institutions, meanwhile, have been lenient with wealthy foreign buyers, skimming through due diligence procedures intended to determine the source of a buyer’s funds, said Ian Bond, director of foreign policy at the Centre for European Reform. “This has been a very weak part of our money-laundering system,” Mr. Bond said. “Not enough questions are being asked about overseas shell properties. Estate agents are not asking the right questions — or any questions — about the beneficial owners.”
BBC World News: Russia spy poisoning
15 March 2018
Ian Bond, director of foreign policy at the Centre for European Reform speaks on the recent Russia spy poisoning in Salisbury.
CER podcast: Security after Brexit
14 March 2018
Sophia Besch asks Camino Mortera-Martinez about future UK-EU justice and home affairs co-operation.
Tillerson's ouster has allies hoping for coherence, but fearing the worst
14 March 2018
The New York Times
Whatever Mr. Tillerson’s failings, said Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, “he was a mainstream Republican, he was one of the grown-ups.” “On trade he was sensible and on Iran his view is the European view,” Mr. Grant added, “and it is worrying that the President may have a Secretary of State who might make it easier for him to pursue his course on Iran.”
Tok FM: Jak próba zabójstwa Siergieja Skripala może wpłynąć na negocjacje Wielkiej Brytanii z Unią Europejską?
14 March 2018
Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska speaks to Tok FM about the Sergei Skripal poisoning and Brexit.
Global Britain – a slogan without substance?
13 March 2018
EurActiv
So are foreign affairs and security among the few areas where Brexit will leave little mark? “That’s the hope,” Sophia Besch, of the Centre for European Reform told EURACTIV. “There’s been quite a big effort from both sides not to have anything change.”