Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iranian Foreign Ministry: Iran has always demonstrated goodwill, but the International Atomic Energy Agency is under pressure from the E3 and other countries.
Iranian Foreign Ministry: We will soon present our proposal to the other party through Oman, and the United States should seize this opportunity.
Iranian Foreign Ministry: Uranium enrichment is an inseparable part of our nuclear industry, and no country has the right to impose dictates on Tehran in this regard.
Iranian Foreign Ministry: We have prepared measures to respond to any decision against us at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting.
Iranian Foreign Ministry: What happened to the Madleen freedom flotilla is a form of piracy aimed at preventing aid from reaching the people of Gaza.
Hamas: We hold occupation fully responsible for activists' safety, and call on UN and international organizations to condemn this crime.
Hamas: We salute the free people of multiple nationalities who stood headstrong against threats, confirming that Gaza does not stand alone.
Hamas: Interception of Madleen mid-sea is organized state terrorism, a flagrant violation of international law, and an assault on civilian volunteers.
Reuters: Injuries reported in explosion at Kadena Air Base in Japan
Israeli media: The Israeli army took control of the Madleen ship and arrested the activists.

A future vision of European Union depicts UK as 'EU lite' member

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Guardian
  • 20 Sep 2023 11:01
  • 1 Shares
2 Min Read

Academics, commissioned by France and Germany to study potential reforms to the EU, propose four-tiered EU membership.

  • x
  • European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers her annual speech on the state of the European Union at the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, eastern France Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 (AP)
    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers her annual speech on the state of the European Union at the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, eastern France on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 (AP)

A group of academics, commissioned by France and Germany to explore future reforms for the European Union, has put forward a vision of a more diversified EU membership structure that would expand the bloc, The Guardian reported.

The proposal, which includes an "EU lite" category tailored for countries like the UK, arrives at a critical juncture as the EU grapples with the implications of the Ukraine war and the prospect of expanding its membership to as many as 36 countries.

Read more: Vast majority of UK voters say Brexit was a 'failure': Poll

The report, presented on Tuesday, urges EU institutions to implement a series of reforms by 2030 to accommodate potential new members, such as Ukraine.

Related News

Italy holds vote on citizenship, labor law reforms

Germany plans major bunker expansion amid fears of war with Russia

France and Germany, as key European heavyweights, are seeking to streamline the EU's operations in preparation for what could be its most substantial expansion in decades.

It is important to note that the report does not represent the official positions of Germany or France but serves as a foundational document for discussions among 46 European countries and an informal gathering of the 27 EU leaders scheduled for consecutive days in October in Granada, Spain.

Read more: Ukraine files lawsuit against EU neighbors over ban on grain imports

Germany's Europe Minister, Anna Lührmann, who jointly presented the report in Brussels with her French counterpart, emphasized the importance of preparing the EU for expansion. "It is clear the enlargement of the EU is in all our interests," Lührmann stated.

One of the key proposals of the study involves establishing different tiers of membership:

  • Inner Circle: Comprising countries with "deep integration" in areas such as the Eurozone and the Schengen area.
  • Current EU members: Present members of the European Union. 
  • Associate Members: Allowing participation in the single market, potentially including countries like Norway.
  • EU lite members: Designed for countries like the UK, involving "political cooperation" without being bound to EU law.

Read more: Ukraine EU membership to take 15-20 years

  • Germany
  • France
  • UK
  • European Union
  • EU

Most Read

The logo of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence (wikidata)

Iran acquired thousands of sensitive Israeli documents: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 7 Jun 2025
A Palestinian woman mourns as she embraces the body of her daughter Mayar Abu Odeh, 8, who was killed in an Israeli army strike on Gaza. at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP)

French port workers block arms shipment to 'Israel' amid Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 4 Jun 2025
New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

  • Politics
  • 4 Jun 2025
Iranian demonstrators walk on a caricature of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the annual Quds Day rally in support of Palestinians, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, March 28, 2025 (AP)

Iran hits 'Israel' hard without arms; intel breach lays Tel Aviv bare

  • Politics
  • 7 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Climate activist Greta Thunberg, center, waits to board the Madleen boat, before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, Sunday, June 1, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Gaza aid vessel vows to continue until final moment

A view of the Knesset through the entrance window. (Agencies)
Politics

Haredi parties push for Knesset dissolution, call PM 'a burden'

Palestinians carry the body of Ahmed Abu Hilal, who was killed while on his way to an aid hub in Gaza, during his funeral in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Sunday, June 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US 'aid centers' in Gaza are deadly traps: Palestinian Resistance

An aerial view shows sections of the columns in the ancient city of Palmyra, Syria, Saturday, January 25, 2025 (AP)
Arts and Culture

Syria’s ancient sites looted as artifacts flood online markets

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS