EU law should govern Russia's new gas pipeline to Germany, France has said, heaping doubt on the project. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline was meant to be monopolised by Russian energy firm Gazprom, according to original plans. But the European Commission has tabled a law that would break up Russia's model by imposing EU rules on the offshore structure in the Baltic Sea. "France intends to support the adoption of such a directive. Work is continuing with our partners, in particular with Germany, on possible changes to the [commission] text," French foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll told press in Paris on Thursday (7 February). She spoke ahead of a vote in the EU Council on the Nord Stream 2 bill on Friday. Germany had counted on France, as well as Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, and the Netherlands to block it. But the French U-turn would see Nord Stream 2 opponents, which include most eastern EU countries, Nordic states, and the UK, push it through. "I would find it … [Read more...] about France makes U-turn against Russian gas pipe
France
[Ticker] France recalls ambassador from Italy over yellow vests row
France recalled its ambassador from Italy on Thursday for consultations, saying Italian deputy premier Luigi Di Maio's meeting with French 'yellow vest' protestors was an unacceptable provocation. Tensions between the two EU states have run high lately also over treatment of asylum seekers and the TAV Turin-Lyon high-speed rail link. Deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini said he would happily meet French president Emmanuel Macron to ease ties. Read and decide Support quality EU news Get instant access to all articles — and 18 year's of archives. 30 days free trial. … [Read more...] about [Ticker] France recalls ambassador from Italy over yellow vests row
France are rubbish and their coaching abysmal
Austin Healey Follow 8 February 2019 • 8:00am After hitting such heights against Ireland last weekend, England face an even greater mental challenge in preparing to face France on Sunday. If you are playing Ireland in Dublin then you know you have to be 100 per cent. Nothing less will do against the most structured, precise and clinical team on the planet. Eddie Jones gave them a plan for what they to do in every area of the field and his players implemented it brilliantly. Now England are playing against a team that is effectively amateur in its approach. You have got some unbelievable talent in France, but the coaching standards appear to be abysmal. Their attention to detail and psychological approach is like something from the 1980s... To continue reading this article Start your free trial of Premium Access all Premium articles Subscriber-only events Cancel any time Free for 30 days then only £2 per week Try … [Read more...] about France are rubbish and their coaching abysmal
France and Germany split over Nord Stream 2 pipeline
Germany’s effort to block EU rules from applying to the Russia-backed Nord Stream 2 pipeline suffered a blow Thursday when France balked at backing Berlin. The fight boils down to a set of EU gas rules up for discussion by member countries on Friday. Germany wants to halt the update of the gas directive, which it worries will interfere with its appetite for Russian gas. But Paris put its foot down, and won’t let Germany get its way. EU ambassadors will decide Friday morning whether to start talks with the European Parliament on proposed amendments to the EU’s gas directive, aimed at ensuring the EU’s gas liberalization rules apply to pipelines coming to the bloc from third countries. Berlin has been frantically trying to assemble a blocking minority in the Council, but is likely to come up short. The final blow was likely France's admission that it will abandon Germany. “France intends to support the adoption of such a directive," … [Read more...] about France and Germany split over Nord Stream 2 pipeline
POLITICO Brussels Playbook, presented by Google: Meet Germany’s new boss — Italy vs. France — Competition heats up
Press play to listen to this article By FLORIAN EDERwith ZOYA SHEFTALOVICH PRESENTED BY GOOGLE Send tips here | Tweet @florianeder | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser RAS-LE-BOL: I couldn’t find a single diplomat in town who remembered an escalation between two big and founding members of the European Union like the one happening between Paris and Rome now. France recalled its ambassador in Rome for consultations, with the foreign ministry saying in a strongly worded statement: “France has been, for several months, the target of repeated, baseless attacks and outrageous statements” by Italy’s ruling parties. Such attacks are ‘unprecedented’ since World War II, the ministry said. (Coincidentally, that’s when the last French ambassador was recalled from Italy). “Having disagreements is one thing, but manipulating the relationship for electoral aims is another,” the ministry added. The bold reaction came … [Read more...] about POLITICO Brussels Playbook, presented by Google: Meet Germany’s new boss — Italy vs. France — Competition heats up