EU and UK propose three rounds of negotiations on future conditions before the June top meeting , with both sides having to decide on a framework and plan for the rest of the year (and whether the transition period should be extended or not).
The negotiating rounds will be on the weeks beginning April 20, May 11 and June 1
These will be videoconferences, as agreed during a video call between David Frost, UK chief negotiator, and his EU counterpart Michel Barnier at noon CET.
There will be a High Level Conference in June probably involving Boris Johnson and Ursual von der Leyen, European Commission President, and Charles Michel, European Council president (TBC) to stocktake on progress so far. This would be ahead of the June European Council.
Joint statement by EU and UK negotiators following the videoconference on 15 April 2020
John Prine, two time Grammy-winner, singer- songwriter, passed away from a Covid-19 reaction on April 7.
Widely cited as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, Prine was known for humorous lyrics about love, life, and current events, as well as serious songs with social commentary and songs that recollect melancholy tales from his life.
Prine wrote some amazing songs, my favourite is ’Angel from Montgormery’. A song he wrote in 1971 and alter gave to Bonnie Raitt, who often performed it. You can listen to the song here: Angel from Montogmery
We often talk about the Customs family. Once a Customs officer, always a Customs officer.
Customs officers protect and serve our borders 24/7 all weeks, months and years. Good weather, bad weather – it doesn’t matter. Customs is there by the border to protect and serve people, often in dangerous and challenging situations.
There is special bond between us. The profession, the job, is the same everywhere – in Brazil, United States, EU, China, India, Singapore, Australia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Bangladesh, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Costa Rica, UK, Chile, Uzbekistan or UAE – it doesn’ matter. We are all the same, doing the same thing.
Providing security and safety, supporting trade facilitation of medication and medical equipment during pandemic crises, managing trade that drive our economies, that creates jobs and erase poverty – collecting revenue collection that makes it possible to finance schools and health care. Fighting terrorism and organized cross-border crime. The normal day of customs officers.
I started my customs training in 1984 and I have been a proud customs officer in my heart since then. I have worked on all levels of Customs, nationally, regionally and globally.
In World Customs Organization I worked for 182 countries, visited almost all – and worked in more than 120 countries. I left the service in 2012, but I will always be a proud Customs officer with customs friends all over the world.
Today I am an International Customs and Border Expert providing advise to Governments and companies all around the world. I work woth 850 other customs and blrder experts in our company.
I want pay tribute to all the Customs officers out there at our borders. We sleep safe because they are there. We should think about them sometimes. On January 23rd it is the International Customs Day.
For me every day is a Customs Day.
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