Vanuatu made the blacklist once again, this time for not having taxation policies in line with the European Union’s (EU) policies.While Vanuatu is an independent nation and not a member of the EU, it is being picked on by the EU for being a tax haven like a few other nations on their blacklist.According to Kasim Mohammed Nazeem, Press and Information Officer of the Delegation of the EU to the Pacific, based in Suva, Vanuatu is a non-EU tax haven.Mr Nazeem explained there was a workshop in Fiji last year where the EU engaged with each Pacific nation on specific issues.He continued to stress that countries on the list were given a chance to engage with the EU to address any particular issues that the EU had with them.Refusal to engage with the EU resulted in the countries being blacklisted. Vanuatu was moved from the grey to the black list along with Aruba, Belize, Bermuda, Dominica, Fiji and Oman.Nazeem was quoted saying, “jurisdictions need to comply with the principles of … [Read more...] about Vanuatu is on the European Union blacklist: Why should we care?
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U.K. leader asks European Union for 3 month Brexit delay
London - Prime Minister Theresa May formally asked the European Union on Wednesday to postpone Britain's departure from the bloc - due in nine days - until June 30. But a frustrated EU has warned it could keep Britain waiting for an answer. In a letter to European Council President Donald Tusk, May said the Brexit process "clearly will not be completed before 29 March, 2019" - the date fixed in law two years ago for Britain's departure.She asked for a delay until June 30, and said she wanted to set out her reasons to EU leaders at a summit in Brussels on Thursday.U.K. Parliament in turmoilOpposition politicians, and pro-EU members of May's Conservative government, had urged a longer extension, saying a delay of just a few months could leave Britain once again facing a cliff-edge "no-deal" Brexit this summer. Withdrawing without a deal could mean huge disruption for businesses and people in the U.K. and the 27 remaining EU countries.But a long extension would infuriate the … [Read more...] about U.K. leader asks European Union for 3 month Brexit delay
Theresa May to ask European Union to delay Brexit
News / UK and world by Press Association March 20, 2019, 12:02 am Send us a story Sign up to our Daily newsletter Theresa May will write to the European Union on Wednesday to ask for a delay to Brexit beyond the scheduled date of March 29. In a letter to European Council president Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister is thought likely to suggest a three-month extension to June 30 in the hope of securing parliamentary approval for her Withdrawal Agreement by that time. But with Downing Street refusing to reveal details, there was also speculation that she could ask for a longer delay of nine months or a year, with the option of an early break if a deal is done before May’s European elections. The development comes exactly 1,000 days after the referendum of June 23 2016, which delivered a 52%-48% majority for leaving the EU. It will dismay hardline Leavers still hoping for a no-deal “clean Brexit” next Friday. In a fractious Cabinet discussion of the … [Read more...] about Theresa May to ask European Union to delay Brexit
Theresa May to ask European Union for at least three month Brexit delay
Prime Minister Theresa May will ask the European Union to delay Brexit by at least three months after her plans for another vote on her twice-defeated divorce deal were thrown into crisis by a surprise intervention by the Speaker of parliament. Nearly three years after Britain voted to leave the EU, its departure is uncertain. Possible outcomes still range from a long postponement, leaving with May's deal, a disruptive exit without a deal, or even another referendum. Just 10 days before the March 29 exit date that May set two years ago by submitting a formal "Article 50" request to leave - and two days before a crucial EU summit - she was on Tuesday writing to European Council president Donald Tusk to ask for a delay, her spokesman said. It was not immediately clear how long a delay she would seek. She had warned parliament that if it did not ratify her deal, she would ask to delay Brexit beyond June 30, a step that Brexit's advocates fear would endanger the entire divorce. Other EU … [Read more...] about Theresa May to ask European Union for at least three month Brexit delay
Opinion: Years or months? How long Brexit goes on for is now down to the European Union
How much does the European Union actually care about keeping the UK inside the Union? I ask this because Britain’s destiny now lies in the hands of 27 “foreign” governments, our partners in the EU. Assuming – as things stand it is reasonable to do so – that Mrs May fails again to win support in the Commons for her “deal”, or even pulls the vote so certain is defeat, then things move, once again, into Brussels’ court. The EU Council then has a choice. They can offer the UK a short extension to the Article 50 process to sort out the details of a Brexit deal that hasn’t actually been agreed. Or they can offer Mrs May a far longer day – 21 months – in which, basically, to start again. We’ll tell you what’s true. You can form your own view. From 15p €0.18 $0.18 USD 0.27 a day, more exclusives, analysis and extras. Subscribe now If they opt for the latter they hand Mrs May the “threat” … [Read more...] about Opinion: Years or months? How long Brexit goes on for is now down to the European Union