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LONDON When the British rock band Two Door Cinema Club began playing shows across Europe a decade ago, the groups three members would jump in a van, throw their instruments in the back and drive from their then hometown, Belfast, Northern Ireland, to sweaty clubs in Amsterdam, Berlin, and Paris.

We did that hundreds of times, Kevin Baird, the groups bassist, said recently by phone. Everything was at a moments notice, he added.

Now, its not so simple for Two Door Cinema Club or any British act to tour Europe. Last Friday, the band headlined the Crulla music festival in Barcelona, Spain, playing to an audience of 25,000 screaming fans. But because of Britains 2020 departure from the European Union, known as Brexit, the band spent weeks beforehand applying for visas and immersing themselves in complicated new rules around trucking and exporting merchandise like T-shirts.

Visas and travel within Britain to apply for them cost 7,500 pounds, about $10,400, for the band, two extra musicians, and an eight-person crew, Baird said. New rules mean that a British tour van carrying audio and lighting equipment, or merchandise, can only make three stops in mainland Europe before it must return home.

Its proved a headache when there was never a headache before, Baird said. If we were a band starting out, we wouldnt have done it, he added.

For much of this year, Brexit has been an even bigger talking point in Britains music industry than the coronavirus pandemic. Since Jan. 1, when a trade deal between Britain and the European Union came into force, hundreds of British musicians including Dua Lipa and Radiohead have complained that the deal makes touring the continent more costly for stadium acts, and almost impossible for new bands.

The new rules are a looming catastrophe for young musicians, Elton John wrote on Instagram in June. This is about whether one of the U.K.s most successful industries, worth 111 billion a year, is allowed to prosper and contribute hugely to both our cultural and economic wealth, or crash and burn, he added.

Even musicians who supported Brexit have complained. Bruce Dickinson, the lead singer of Iron Maiden, told a TV interviewer in June that, although he welcomed Britains departure from the European Union, he found the new rules unreasonable. He then addressed Britains government: Get your act together, he said.

The furor over the regulations has led to a blame game between Britains government and the European Union over which side is responsible for the new barriers, and who made viable offers when negotiating the trade deal.

Regardless of who is responsible, the issue has become an embarrassment for the British government. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said his government is working flat out on the issue. We must fix this, he told lawmakers in March.

Yet so far, there hasnt been enough progress to appease musicians. In June, Britain agreed to new trade deals that the government said would allow musicians to tour easily in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This was met with disdain: Ah those infamous tours of mountainous Liechtenstein with its total lack of airport, Simone Marie of the band Primal Scream wrote on Twitter.

Were all becoming increasingly despondent, said Annabella Coldrick, the chief executive of the Music Managers Forum, a trade body. In June, she helped launch Let the Music Move, a campaign for the government to compensate artists for the new extra costs and renegotiate the tour rules.

The problems are only just starting to become clear, as the coronavirus pandemic eases and bands start booking tours, Coldrick said. The biggest sticking point was the regulation that vans and trucks can only stop three times before they must return to Britain, she added.

Several British music trucking businesses have already moved some of their operations to Ireland to get around the rules. But Coldrick said this was not a viable solution: Trucks would also have to make longer journeys to pick bands up, increasing costs. It also seemed like a poor outcome for Britain, she said, because the country was losing companies and workers.

For Two Door Cinema Club, the main issue was visas, said Colin Schaverien, the bands manager. In June, a member of the bands crew was rejected for a visa on a technicality related to his job title, so he had to reapply. Another band member, based in Belfast, was told they had to fly to Scotland for a visa appointment.

Despite the bands problems before traveling to Spain, Two Door Cinema Clubs show last Friday went off without a hitch.

All the things we were worried about didnt materialize, said Baird, the bassist. The bands equipment, traveling in a truck from London, cleared customs on the British side in 25 minutes; checks at the border in France took only 10. The band, whose members flew to Barcelona, had no problems at the airport.

Once in, the group was so excited to be playing a show after months sitting at home during the coronavirus pandemic, they took selfies of every moment, Baird said.

The crowd was equally excited, said Marc Loan, 36, a fan who was in the audience. I made sure I didnt drink much, so I didnt have to miss anything, he added.

It was amazing, Baird said of the night.

Brexit was the last thing on his mind during the gig, Baird added, but it reared its head the next day when the band and crew headed to the airport to fly home. Members of the group with Irish passports, which everyone born in Northern Ireland can hold as well as a British one, breezed through passport control; those with British passports were stuck in line for only an hour.

The band was pleased with the trip but Baird was worried about how a more complicated schedule would work. Were all well aware this was a one-off concert, he said. What were apprehensive about is next year when were playing three different countries in three days. I expect that will be a lot harder.

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For U.K. Bands, Touring Europe Is Now a Highway to Brexit Hell - The New York Times

Switzerland has been excluded until further notice from the EUs key Horizon Europe research programme. This is a big blow for Switzerlands research landscape, says Yves Flckiger, president of swissuniversities.

Yves Flckiger is president of swissuniversities, the umbrella organisation of Swiss Universities. He also serves as Rector of the University of Geneva and is a professor of economics.

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Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2021-2027, is the largest research and innovation-funding programme in the world.

As an open nation to research and innovation, Switzerland contributes to the excellence of the European Research Area (ERA). It is a founding member of the European Space Agency, of the projects COSTExternal link and of EUREKAExternal link; it is also host country, with France, to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and Switzerland has brought, since its association to the EU Framework Programme in 2004, important expertise in fields such as the health sector, climate, and quantum technologies.

However, the European Commission has recently announced one month after the Federal Council broke off the negotiations on the framework agreement that Switzerland will be, until further notice, treated as a non-associated third country in Horizon Europe. Already the first calls for projects are being launched from which Swiss scientists are excluded. Swiss research is losing what was previously equal access to key elements of the most important international research network.

In a nutshell

On May 26 the Swiss government rejected the institutional framework agreement between the EU and Switzerland due to substantial differences.

Fears have been that tensions could impact Swiss participation in Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, the EUs student mobility programme. This happened in 2014 after the controversial Swiss vote to re-introduce immigration quotas for EU citizens. The Swiss were later able to rejoin Horizon 2020 (as an associated partner, from 2017-2020) but are still excluded from Erasmus+.

On July 14, it was announced that Switzerland hadbeen locked out of the European Union's flagship Horizon Europe research and innovation funding programme (the 2021-2027 follow-on scheme) until further notice.The country has third-party, non-associated status. EU leaders are expected to discuss the issue whenthey meet in autumn.External linkNegotiations have not been announced forErasmus+.

Not being associated to Horizon Europe means that Swiss researchers and companies cannot coordinate European projects. In the last programme, Horizon 2020 (2014-2020), Swiss scientists coordinated 1,185 projects, i.e. 3.9% of the total. Coordinating a project means helping to set the future priorities of European research and thus shaping the development of the research and innovation area on a continental scale.

Researchers in Switzerland cannot participate in the Marie Skodowska-Curie Actions and European Innovation Council, and they can no longer obtain ERC grants from the European Research Council. In the last programme, these highly competitive grants represented 40% of the total European funding granted to Switzerland, i.e. more than CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion).

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Switzerland are also under threat, those who are at the heart of the third pillar of the EU programme, which is dedicated to the development and commercialization of research results. Almost 25% of Swiss projects funded in Horizon 2020 were led by SMEs, a share that rises to 36% if industries are included. This direct funding has no equivalent instrument in Switzerland.

swissuniversities

swissuniversities is the umbrella organisation of Swiss higher education institutions. It promotes cooperation and coordination between the universities and the various types of universities (such as universities of applied sciences and teaching). The organisation has reitered its call to the Federal Council (executive) and Swiss Parliament to stabilise relations with the European Union so that Switzerland can be associated to Horizon Europe as quickly as possible.

Access to European programmes also enables Switzerland to attract the best talents. Without an association, these researchers will leave Switzerland to settle in other European countries or they will not come to our country if they receive an ERC grant. The absence of an association also prejudices the future of young people in training, since it restricts their access to the European research network - this in a context of student mobility that has already been weakened since Switzerland is no longer associated with Erasmus+. There is no national or bilateral alternative to the cooperation within Horizon Europe.

Thanks to its strong national funding and to its access to European funding, Switzerland as a centre of knowledge is attractive to the best researchers in the world. Horizon Europe also offers researchers in Switzerland instruments that do not exist at the national level. These include, in particular, the promotion of large-scale cross-border collaborations, the possibility of direct funding for innovative companies, and the well-funded ERC grants awarded on a competitive European basis, which enable researchers to build up specialized teams in new fields of research. European and national funding complement and strengthen each other.

Horizon Europe aims to promote the green and digital transformation across Europe. For Switzerland and Swiss universities, Horizon Europe is not just about research per se. Research is a means to the end of improving the lives of all people; thanks to research, solutions can be found for the worlds urgent problems in the areas of health and the environment.

Research helps to promote innovation in the economy and thus create jobs. Nowadays the majority of research whether on climate change, cancer, energy or the current pandemic is conducted internationally. Universities and research organisations in the EU are Switzerland's most important scientific partners, well ahead of the United States or Asia. In addition, the EU research programmes offer a unique opportunity for universities, industry and SMEs to cooperate internationally.

Switzerland should be associated to Horizon Europe as quickly as possible. This is important for the academic world, but also for companies and, beyond that, for maintaining the quality of life enjoyed by the Swiss population: in terms of prosperity, health, education and security. International cooperation is a prerequisite for innovation and excellence. Todays decisions have an impact on Switzerlands future attractiveness and competitiveness and on its top international position in research.

As a non-associated third country, Switzerland no longer sits at the table on an equal footing with the other countries of the European continent. At stake are Switzerland's long-standing relations as a secure and trustworthy partner in research. Openness and stable relations are central prerequisites for Switzerland's prosperity, for its excellent social and economic conditions.

Swissuniversities asks therefore the Federal Council and the Parliament to strive to stabilise relations with the European Union soon, so that Switzerland can be associated to Horizon Europe as quickly as possible.

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Why is Horizon Europe important for Switzerland and the European Union? - swissinfo.ch

BRUSSELS, July 12 (Reuters) - European Union foreign ministers agreed on Monday to launch a global infrastructure plan linking Europe to the world, its latest step after deals with India and Japan and a similar pledge by the Group of Seven richest democracies.

Suspicious of Chinese President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative to link Europe to Asia via infrastructure in a bid for greater influence, the EU set out a formal path for an ambitious "connectivity" plan from 2022.

"We see China using economic and financial means to increase its political influence everywhere in the world. It's useless moaning about this, we must offer alternatives," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told reporters at a meeting with his EU counterparts in Brussels.

"It is important that the European Union ... coordinates them very closely with the United States," he said.

The EU has already signed partnerships with Japan and India to coordinate transport, energy and digital projects linking Europe and Asia. Both Tokyo and Delhi are worried about Chinese largesse that officials say makes poorer countries beholdened to Beijing because they are forced to take on such large debts.

Through development banks, first-loss guarantees to private companies and by offering Western government know-how, the G7, whose leaders met in England in June, also want to provide more transparency in infrastructure partnerships.

Montenegro, a member of the NATO military alliance and an aspirant to join the EU, is the highest-profile casualty of Chinese debt, Western officials say.

Montenegro borrowed nearly $1 billion from China in 2014 to fund a 41-km (25-mile) stretch of road, an amount that has threatened to bankrupt the country. It is now negotiating with Western banks to swap or refinance the debt, Reuters reported this month. read more

The EU strategy, called "A Globally Connected Europe", makes no mention of China and Luxembourg's veteran Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn cautioned on Monday about making China an adversary, noting that German carmakers sold more vehicles in China every year than in Germany.

But one EU diplomat involved in drafting the strategy said the eight-page document had "China written all over it".

Since 2013, China has launched construction projects across more than 60 countries, seeking a network of land and sea links with Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa. Beijing denies any intention to project power and has said the infrastructure corridor focuses on the needs of ordinary people.

Reporting by Robin Emmott; Editing by Nick Macfie

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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After G7 pledge, EU seeks to rival China's 'Belt and Road' with own infrastructure plan - Reuters

During a time of increased tension, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended the proposal that the European Union (EU) should host a diplomatic meeting with Russia. This idea was rejected by other European leaders at the summit that took place the previous week, particularly Eastern European countries that share a border with Russia.Yet, Merkel stated on Monday, June 28ththat she simply wants to open a dialogue with Russian leadership and address certain issues, such as the recent cyberattacks and Russian influence in Libya and Syria. These future talks between the European Union and Russia would have guidelines and conditions, as reported by VOA News, in order to protect the interests of member countries, as well as to encourage cooperation on key problems. However, for this to take place, the 27 EU members would have to unanimously vote to start talks with Russia once again.

Merkels reasoning behind pushing for increased discussion between the European bloc and Russia comes from the fact that even during the Cold War, people talked to each other, and that silence is not conducive to solving the problems, as she stated at a conference on Monday. Even Russian diplomat Dmitry Peskov has said that President Putinremains interested in establishing working relations between Moscow and the European Union. Yet, on the other hand, a meeting happening in the near future seems doubtful, for as argued by Gitanas Nausda, the President of Lithuania, its too early becausewe dont see any radical changes in behavior from Putin, referring to Russian hostility and military presence. This leaves the European Union divided between leaders who want to open a discussion with Russia and those who dont believe it is worth it, which is a difficult position moving forward.

Even though Russia has displayed aggression and engaged in threatening military activities in countries such as Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea in 2014, working towards increasing diplomacy between the EU and Russia is a goal that should be pursued. Angela Merkel is right in urging leaders to be more open to having talks that could push the agenda of the EU and lead to peace, not only in Europe but worldwide. The European Union is a powerful organization that Russia relies on. Therefore holding a summit where demands are presented would be ideal, instead of letting already tense relations deteriorate. Leaders that are skeptical about holding talks with Russia should reconsider what future they want to see. One where open dialogue is encouraged and there is an improvement in the current strained relationship, or one where hostility escalates to unknown ends.

Russia and the European Union have never been on friendly terms, especially in recent decades with the Cold War and the invasion of Crimea that led to its annexation. Russia is also a key player in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and has intervened in the civil war in Syria, which has only led to even higher tensions. However, earlier in June, U.S. President Biden and Russian President Putin met one-on-one at a summit in Geneva, despite the United States and Russias issues. This was a rare meeting for both countries, which paved the way for the European Union to suggest a similar event. The last interaction between the EU and Russia was in February when the EU Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell travelled to Moscow, which resulted in an uneasy situation when the EU was called an unreliable partner by Russian Minister Sergey Lavrov. If the European Union and the Moscow Kremlin can move past their differences and agree to hold a summit, perhaps their current strained position can be remedied.

Angela Merkel, in her statement that talks should be held between the European Union and Russia, has a good point in emphasizing that the tense silence that marks their current relationship does not leave much room for improvement or towards peace. Even though Europe and Russia have had unstable relations in the past, it is still possible to reach some sort of agreement that both parties approve of, especially with a summit that is held with pre-established guidelines for the Kremlin. Yet, if a more open dialogue never happens, the division between the East and the West may not be mitigated, leading to greater problems. It remains to be seen if all member states will end up voting to allow talks to occur with Russia, but the question remains whether a vote in the negative will have consequences.

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Merkel Pushes For Future Talks Between The EU And Russia: Why Some Leaders Are More Hesitant - The Organization for World Peace

BRUSSELS: The European Union's executive is working past a Monday deadline to assess Hungary pandemic recovery plan and unlock EU grants and loans amid allegations it might not to meet all the requirements to tap into the funds. EU Commission spokeswoman, Arianna Podesta, said that the Commission was still analyzing replies its received last Friday and might take as much as weeks to process. "We are working constructively to conclude our assessment as fast as possible. Should our assessment require more weeks rather than days, we will propose to Hungary to agree on an extension of the 2-month deadline." Even when EU nations get the green light from the bloc's executive arm to obtain the billions in funds, they will steel need the approval of other member states too. Critics have said that corruption safeguards might be insufficient in the Hungarian plan. The delay comes against a background of increasing strife between several of the EU institutions and Budapest, with Brussels claiming there is a rollback in the nation's democratic credentials while corruption runs rampant. The EU has said it would grant extensions on the national recovery plans to ensure workable and precise plans rather than blueprints not properly vetted for lack to time. So far, five members requested extensions, Poland, Estonia, Romania, Sweden and Finland. These range from a few weeks to the end of September. During the assessment period, EU authorities are locked in dialogue with the country concerned and can send observations or ask questions. The country can provide information or adjust its plan as things progress.

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European Union still assessing Hungary's pandemic plan to unlock funds - Times of India