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EU Members Agree to Defense Fund, Command Structure
August 09, 2017
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that EU member states have agreed to a European Commission proposal for an EU defense fund of €1.5 billion to develop and acquire a range of military weaponry and equipment, including drones, and gave members three months to decide whether they would join an EU coalition that conducts military missions.
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EU Leaders Dismiss UK Offer on Citizens' Rights
August 09, 2017
The Guardian reports that EU leaders at a summit in June expressed dissatisfaction regarding UK Prime Minister Theresa May's proposals for EU citizens' rights in Britain after Brexit, with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker stating that he is unable to see how the Court of Justice of the EU (ECJ) could be excluded from the protection of these rights.
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MPs Warn May on "No Deal" Brexit
August 09, 2017
Sky News reports that a group of 30 Conservative Members of the UK Parliament (MPs) is warning Prime Minister Theresa May that they will not accept an exit from the EU without a deal on a future relationship with the bloc.
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Cleppe: Attempts to "Soften" Brexit Are Unrealistic
August 09, 2017
Pieter Cleppe of the think tank Open Europe writes that the "obvious way" to prevent a "cliff-edge" or "chaotic event" in the Brexit process is to allow Britain to set its own trade and regulatory policies, which could not happen if the country remains in the EU's "single market" or customs union.
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EU Council Offers Policy Solutions to Obesity
August 09, 2017
The Council of the EU has adopted a set of conclusions urging EU member states to address the rise in childhood obesity by promoting physical activity and clamping down on advertisements of "sugary and fatty foods" targeted at children and adolescents.
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EU "Action Programme" Prioritizes Environmental Agenda
August 09, 2017
The European Commission's Annual Action Programme 2017 of the Partnership Instrument, under which it engages in cooperation with international partners, focuses on such objectives as promoting "climate-friendly and sustainable energy sources," protecting "biodiversity" in foreign countries, and pushing global standards on "responsible business" practices.
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German Defense Official Supports EU Army
August 09, 2017
The Daily Telegraph reports that Germany's National Defense Commissioner Hans-Peter Bartels has voiced his support for an integrated European defense policy, asserting that, "in the end, there will be a European army."
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UK Chancellor Confirms Exit from EU Constructs
August 07, 2017
In an interview on the BBC, UK Chancellor Philip Hammond confirmed that the British Government will remove the country from the EU "single market" and customs union as part of its Brexit deal with the bloc.
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German Official: UK Election May Lead to "Soft Brexit"
August 07, 2017
AP reports that, following the UK's June general election, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel expressed his hope that the results would coax Britain toward a "soft Brexit," in which the country would retain membership of the EU "single market," continue to be subject to free-movement rules, and accept the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the EU.
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UK Officials Say No Brexit Deal Without Trade Talks
August 07, 2017
Reuters reports that a spokesperson for the UK's Brexit ministry said in June that the British Government would not agree to a deal on the terms of the country's exit from the EU unless the agreement takes into account aspects of the UK's future relationship with the bloc, including on trade policy.