Rachel Reeves: EU trade relationship ‘more important' than US
The chancellor is due to meet Scott Bessent, the US Treasury secretary, on Friday in the hope of making a breakthrough in getting a new economic deal to lift the worst of President Trump's tariffs.
However, she said that the UK's relationship with the EU was 'arguably even more important'. The UK is seeking a new deal with the EU to bring it into the closest alignment with Brussels after Brexit.
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to unveil the EU deal at a conference in London on May 19. It will include a new UK-EU defence pact giving British defence companies access to
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Libyan Express
22-07-2025
- Libyan Express
Spain offers €200 million package as EU partners with Mauritania on migration
Spain backs Mauritania with investment and migration deal to curb Atlantic crossings Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón has concluded a landmark visit to Mauritania's capital Nouakchott, marking his third trip to the West African nation in just eighteen months — a clear signal of deepening strategic ties between the two countries amid evolving migration dynamics. Unlike his previous visits in 2023, which were largely shaped by mounting concerns over irregular migration from Mauritania's coastline to the Canary Islands, Sánchez's latest appearance was notably upbeat. Migration numbers have declined significantly since the beginning of this year, in part due to strengthened bilateral cooperation and local enforcement efforts. From Crisis Diplomacy to Strategic Partnership Sánchez's earlier visits — in February and August 2023 — came against a backdrop of domestic political pressure, as Spain faced a sharp increase in irregular migrant arrivals. Seeking to stem the flow, Madrid turned to Nouakchott to negotiate security and migration control agreements. These talks culminated in the signing of a joint declaration between the European Union and Mauritania in February 2024. The agreement, signed in Nouakchott, encompasses security, diplomatic, and economic cooperation, including support for regulated migration routes from Mauritania to Europe — a framework modelled on similar agreements with North African countries. The renewed focus on Mauritania reflects shifts in human trafficking networks. As Tunisia, Libya, and Morocco tightened border controls, traffickers revived alternative routes via Nouakchott and Nouadhibou towards Spain's Atlantic territories. According to Spain's Ministry of the Interior, around 22,300 irregular migrants reached the Canary Islands by August 2025 — more than double the figure recorded during the same period in 2024. Pilot Scheme for Circular Migration During this most recent visit, Sánchez introduced a fresh round of proposals. A central feature was a memorandum of understanding on circular migration, outlining a pilot scheme to recruit Mauritanian workers for seasonal employment in Spain. The agreement stipulates that selected workers — chosen by the Mauritanian authorities on the basis of equal opportunity — must return home upon completion of their contracts. The agreement includes data confidentiality provisions and is valid for one year, renewable upon mutual consent. It forms part of Spain's broader strategy to promote safe, orderly and legal migration pathways — a key pillar of its response to irregular migration. Spain also pledged a €200 million funding package to bolster Spanish private investment in Mauritania. The funding will support green energy projects, feasibility studies, risk guarantees, and financing tools for Spanish firms operating locally. Public Concern and Legal Reforms Despite growing bilateral ties, repeated high-level visits from European officials have sparked concern among some Mauritanian citizens. Critics fear the country may be positioned as Europe's de facto border enforcer or transformed into a permanent host for migrants expelled from the EU. Mauritania's government has rejected these claims, arguing that the country is increasingly becoming a destination, not merely a transit zone. A substantial number of migrants — particularly from conflict-ridden Mali — are now settled in Mauritania, placing pressure on its social services. The Mbera refugee camp alone hosts over 150,000 displaced individuals. In response, the government has adopted a range of internal measures. These include bans on transporting undocumented migrants, stricter border controls, the introduction of updated migration laws, and the establishment of a specialised migration court in February 2025. Mauritania's migration law imposes prison terms of six months to two years for identity fraud, fake documentation, and illegal border crossings. It also authorises deportations and entry bans lasting up to ten years for those violating immigration regulations. Fines may reach 5 million old ouguiyas (roughly £10,000), and additional penalties apply to those who enter or reside illegally. These legal reforms have contributed to the dismantling of smuggling networks, with authorities reporting near-daily arrests and disruptions of trafficking operations. Human Rights Scrutiny Nevertheless, the crackdown has drawn criticism from opposition groups and human rights observers, who accuse the government of carrying out deportations in inhumane conditions. The government strongly denies such claims. In a recent press statement, Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, Mauritania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, asserted that all deportation operations are conducted in full compliance with both national legislation and international human rights agreements. He reaffirmed that the primary mission of the country's security forces is 'to safeguard the population and national territory.' A New Chapter in Bilateral Relations Spain reports a 40% drop in irregular arrivals to the Canary Islands compared to last year — a significant decrease attributed to Mauritania's intensified enforcement efforts. Prime Minister Sánchez has described the current phase as 'a turning point' in bilateral relations. Beyond border control, Sánchez highlighted the expansion of cooperation into new areas — notably trade, investment, and development. He announced the appointment of Spain's first economic and trade attaché to Nouakchott, who will take up the post in September 2025 to support Spanish business interests and institutional presence. Sánchez stressed the importance of Mauritania as Spain's top trading partner in the EU–Africa context, expressing Madrid's intent to expand the partnership through broader EU-led frameworks such as the Global Gateway Initiative and the Africa–Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs. The visit reflects how a crisis-driven relationship rooted in migration control is now evolving into a more strategic and multifaceted alliance between Europe and a key West African partner.
EVN Report
18-07-2025
- EVN Report
Marathon Press Conference, Issues of Connectivity and New Political Parties
In EVN Report's news roundup for the week of July 18: a U.S.-backed proposal to lease a 32-km stretch of Armenian territory linking Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan raises questions over sovereignty; PM Nikol Pashinyan holds a marathon press conference on regional connectivity, Armenia's EU path, the CSTO and more; and from detention, Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan announces plans to launch a new political party.
Libyan Express
13-07-2025
- Libyan Express
Diplomatic turbulence in Benghazi won't derail EU–Libya ties
The EU delegation, known as Team Europe, held talks with the Government of National Unity in Tripoli on 8 July. A planned meeting in Benghazi did not go ahead due to protocol-related issues. Photo via X The European Union has sought to move past last week's diplomatic dispute in Benghazi, where a senior EU delegation was expelled shortly after arrival, reiterating its continued commitment to working with all relevant Libyan authorities on shared challenges — particularly irregular migration. The delegation — which included EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner and interior ministers from Italy, Greece, and Malta — was turned back upon landing at Benina Airport on Tuesday, 8 July. It had intended to hold meetings with officials in eastern Libya to discuss the recent surge in migrant crossings to Europe. Before travelling to Benghazi, the delegation met with Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dabaiba and other members of the internationally recognised Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli. Commissioner Brunner described those discussions as 'productive,' noting on social media that the visit reaffirmed a joint commitment to combat migrant smuggling and laid the foundations for broader cooperation. However, authorities in Benghazi — aligned with Prime Minister Osama Hammad — declared Brunner persona non grata and ordered the entire delegation to leave the country. The scheduled meetings were cancelled. EU: Incident was a 'protocol issue' European Commission officials have described the Benghazi episode as a 'protocol issue,' while avoiding further comment on the details. A spokesperson told The Brussels Times that the EU would continue its engagement across Libya and keep communication channels open with all key stakeholders. 'We are not here to assign blame or retell events,' the spokesperson added. 'What matters is that cooperation continues where it's needed most — on migration, stability, and regional security.' One Libya policy remains unchanged Despite the tensions, the European Union reaffirmed its long-standing 'One Libya' policy, under which it maintains engagement with authorities throughout the country while recognising the GNU in Tripoli as the result of the UN-led political process. A spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) said the EU's position has not changed, confirming that the bloc works with a wide range of actors to address shared priorities. Media reports suggest that the breakdown in the Benghazi visit may have stemmed from concerns raised by EU Ambassador to Libya Nicola Orlando, who was reportedly reluctant to engage directly with senior officials from Hammad's government. Irregular migration on the rise The expulsion comes amid growing EU concerns over the increasing number of irregular migrants departing from Libya. According to recent data, more than 7,300 migrants have arrived in 2025 on the Greek islands of Crete and Gavdos — up from around 5,000 in 2024. Both islands lack sufficient reception facilities, prompting the issue to be raised at the recent European Council summit. In response, the Greek government announced a temporary three-month suspension of asylum procedures for migrants arriving by sea from North Africa, particularly Libya. The European Commission has said it will review the measure once national legislation has been finalised and enters into force. This echoes a similar move in 2020, when Greece suspended asylum claims following a border crisis with Turkey — a measure that drew criticism from rights groups and legal scholars. Questions over EU funding and rights safeguards The Benghazi incident has reignited debate over the EU's migration cooperation with Libya and its oversight mechanisms. A 2023 report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) criticised the EU's €5 billion Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) for insufficient focus on root causes of migration and inadequate monitoring of human rights conditions in recipient countries, including Libya. The same year, a joint investigation by Lighthouse Reports revealed that Frontex, the EU's border agency, had shared the coordinates of migrant boats in distress with a vessel reportedly operated by an armed group in eastern Libya — raising serious ethical and legal concerns. Despite these challenges, EU officials have reiterated their intention to maintain engagement with all sides in Libya, stressing the need for a comprehensive, coordinated approach to migration governance and regional security.
