European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker
The head of the European Union's executive arm, Jean-Claude Juncker, on Friday called for member states to get rid of unanimity rules and make more decisions with qualified majorities to strengthen the bloc's role in the world.
"We have locked ourselves in the darkroom of unanimity," Juncker said at a speech to the Austrian parliament in Vienna.
The United States and the European Union must quickly flesh out their aim of cutting trade barriers, German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said ahead of an EU trade meeting on Friday.U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker agreed in July to hold back on threatened 25-percent car tariffs while the United States and Europe talked about cutting other trade barriers.But U.S. officials have grown frustrated at the slow pace of progress. Altmaier also pressed for results."We have a strong interest in the swift implementation of the joint statement by President Juncker and President Trump," he said in a statement. "Reducing - not increasing - duties and trade restrictions must be the goal!" US: VP accuses China of election meddling, tech theftUS 'on track' with Manbij roadmap: commanderTrump rolls out new US counterterrorism strategy
German minister presses for swift EU trade accord with US
The European Union wants to build as close a future relationship on trade, security and international affairs with Britain as possible but will not give up its fundamental values and interests over Brexit, the bloc's top official said."We very much regret that the UK has decided to leave and we hope for the best relationship in the future," European Council President Donald Tusk told a news conference in Brussels on Thursday with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar."But no one can expect that because of Brexit the EU will give its fundamental values and key interests."EU court may decide before Christmas if UK can unilaterally reverse BrexitUK medicines regulator preparing for no-deal BrexitIrish PM Varadkar in Brussels as Brexit talks enter frenzied fortnightEU court may decide before Christmas if UK can unilaterally reverse Brexit
EU's Tusk wants close British ties after Brexit