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Business Times
a day ago
- Business
- Business Times
Europe E3 re-emerges as economic and political powerhouse
GERMAN Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes his first official visit to the United Kingdom on Thursday (Jul 17) to sign a landmark bilateral friendship deal. The agreement confirms not only warmer economic and political ties between London and Berlin, but also the post-Brexit re-emergence of the longstanding, so-called E3 group which includes France too. For much of the period since the UK's 2016 referendum on its European Union membership, relations between these top three European economies have been chilly. The ardently pro-Brussels French President Emmanuel Macron and his various German counterparts, including former chancellor Angela Merkel, still believe Brexit to be an act of political vandalism to the continent. So much so in fact that Poland, the largest economy in Central and Eastern Europe, has increasingly been perceived as a challenger for the third slot in Europe's post-Brexit E3 group. This Paris-Berlin-Warsaw trilateral relationship is sometimes called the Weimar Triangle. However, since the Ukraine war began, this German-French-Polish axis has had less prominence, important as it remains. The reasons behind this include Poland's cultivation of its economic and political relationship with the United States following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. So in the period since the pandemic – which saw the Ukraine conflict and Donald Trump become the US president for the second time – there has been a growing realisation in France and Germany of the need to collaborate more with the UK, and vice versa. This has seen the three G7 and G20 nations re-emerge as a triumvirate of regional powers, including in their quest to build Europe's relationship with Trump. This rejuvenated E3 dynamic has been evident on several high-profile platforms, including when then US president Joe Biden visited Berlin on Oct 18 last year. The European leaders he met for a quadrilateral meeting during his stay were UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Macron and then German chancellor Olaf Scholz. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up The warmer ties between London and Berlin will be deepened on Thursday in a treaty that will cover defence, economic growth, and wider issues. It will reportedly include a mutual assistance clause specifying that a threat to one nation would be regarded as a threat to the other. This week's UK-German deal is key as it helps cement the E3 trilateral alliance. France is already linked to Germany via the Aachen Treaty and to the UK via the Lancaster House Treaty. The relationship between Starmer and Merz could be especially key for European and wider international relations in the coming years. Both are potentially key reformers whose periods in office may overlap with the next UK election probably in 2028 or 2029, and the next Germany ballot expected in 2029. At the same time as there are warming ties between Berlin and London, the relationship between Paris and London, as well as between Paris and Berlin, is warming up too. Of course, the Franco-German alliance has long been the motor of European integration in the post-World War II era and Macron enjoyed a generally positive relationship with Merkel, which allowed them to achieve much together on the international stage. However, cooperation between the two powers ebbs and flows depending upon the personalities of the office holders in Berlin and Paris. Merz's predecessor as chancellor, Scholz, and Macron, had an uneven relationship, but this may be changing in a positive direction under Merz. Meanwhile, warmer Franco-UK ties were showcased again last week with Macron making his first ever UK state visit, to London and Windsor Castle. The last such state trip by a French president to the UK was by Nicolas Sarkozy almost two decades ago in 2008. Whereas much of the UK-German bilateral relationship has centred on economics, security is key to UK-French ties as both are nuclear states with UN Security Council permanent membership, unlike other European partners. The Lancaster House deal between the two powers opened a window to jointly update nuclear arsenals which is as yet unfulfilled, and there is potential for broader military coordination. Positive as the re-emergence of the UK-French-German E3 relationship is for Europe, the ties will continue to have challenges in the post-Brexit era. This is especially so between the UK and France, and the UK and Germany. Take the example of the ties between Paris and London. Macron had one of the hardest stances on the UK's exit from the EU in the period from 2016. This reflects the complex, contradictory relationship that Paris has long had with London in the context of European affairs. Macron's Brexit positioning, including his robust stance on precluding future UK economic access to the single market, was reinforced by broader French plans to pitch Paris as a competing financial centre to London which began in earnest under the presidency of Francois Hollande. This saw former finance minister Michel Sapin and Hollande's Brexit special envoy Christian Noyer – a former Bank of France governor – openly promoting Paris with key financial firms. This has continued under Macron as he hailed the decision to relocate the European Banking Authority (EBA) to Paris from London as a 'recognition of France's attractiveness and European commitment'. French officials hope that the EBA's relocation will help bring still more UK banking jobs to France's capital city. What France's position on Brexit underlines is how each EU state has distinctive political, economic and social interests that have informed their stance on the UK's exit. Thus, while the EU-27 were, in general, remarkably unified in their negotiations with London, the positions of the individual countries varied according to factors such as trade and wider economic ties and patterns of migration with the UK, domestic election pressures, and levels of eurosceptic support within their populaces. While the position of Paris has now moderated, the two nations remain misaligned in some key areas, including fishing rights. Another example is migration, where Starmer is under growing pressure to stop people illegally crossing the English Channel from France. Last week, Starmer and Macron agreed a new 'one in, one out' returns scheme which would see the UK deporting to France undocumented people arriving in small boats, in return for accepting an equal number of legitimate asylum seekers with UK family connections. However, only time will tell how successful this will be in halting illegal migrants making so-called small boat crossings. Taken together, all of these developments underline that the E3's re-emergence has significant potential to increase collaboration further between Europe's leading three economies. However, the distinctive post-Brexit interests of each state will continue to cause tensions from time to time, which will remain a barrier to the full resetting of the trilateral relations. The writer is an associate at LSE IDEAS at the London School of Economics
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Backpacker found alive after 12 days lost in Oz outback breaks silence to reveal dramatic reason she abandoned her car
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A GERMAN backpacker who spend nearly two weeks lost in the Australian outback has broken her silence following her rescue. Carolina Wilga thanked her rescuers as she revealed the reason she left the safety of her vehicle in rural Western Australia. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 Carolina Wilga has broken her silence following her dramatic rescue Credit: Western Australia Police Force 9 She revealed the reason she left the safety of her vehicle Credit: Facebook/@ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUK 9 She was found alive and airlifted to hospital on Friday Credit: 7NEWS 9 The backpacker has been recovering in a Perth hospital after her gruelling ordeal stuck in the harsh terrain of the outback. She spent 11 nights wandering barefoot through the wilderness after abandoning her van when it got stuck in Karroun Hill Nature Reserve. The 26-year-old was found in a chance encounter by farmer Tania Henley on Friday. But the backpacker has now shared the reason why she left her van behind to spend nearly two weeks on a perilous trek through the outback. read more in world news EVIL KILLER Russia's most wanted serial killer, who 'murdered 100 women' could be dead Wilga revealed she had lost control of her vehicle and hit her head when it crashed, leaving her in a state of confusion. She said: "Some people might wonder why I even left my car, even though I had water, food, and clothing there. "The answer is: I lost control of the car and rolled down a slope. In the crash, I hit my head significantly. "As a result of the accident, I left my car in a state of confusion and got lost. "I am simply beyond grateful to have survived." Before her disappearance, Wilga was last seen June 29 at a general store in Beacon, 186 miles north-east of Perth. Missing backpacker found ALIVE after nearly two weeks wandering Oz bushland She was then seen driving away in a black and silver Mitsubishi Delica van. Having spent the last two years backpacking across Australia, she recently worked at mine sites in regional WA. Her chance rescue came when she was spotted walking along on an unsealed access road. Wilga had spent nearly two weeks with minimal supplies, even resorting to drinking water from puddles and seeking shelter in caves to survive the outback's unforgiving conditions. Cops had found her bogged down vehicle less than 24 hours before she was rescued. Wilga shared her thanks to her rescuers from "the depth of my soul". 9 She had not been heard from since Sunday, 29 June Credit: Western Australia Police Force 9 She was found in a chance encounter by farmer Tania Henley Credit: 7News She said: "I am deeply impressed by the courage, helpfulness, and warmth that has been shown to me here. "Western Australia has taught me what it really means to be part of a true community. "Here, humanity, solidarity, and care for one another are what truly matter — and in the end, that's what counts most. "I am certain that I survived only thanks to this incredible outpouring of support. "The thought of all the people who believed in me, searched for me, and kept hoping for me gave me the strength to carry on during my darkest moments. "For this, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart." Bush survival expert Kelli Jackson told ABC Radio Perth that anyone caught in a similar situation should always stay with their vehicle. "It's no surprise that people leave their vehicle," she said. "If you've been through any emergency situation, a car accident or something like that, you might remember how things go in slow motion." She added that the shock people feel can make them do "really weird things" like throwing their gear away or running in a random direction. 9 Police issued a public appeal for help on July 10 in their search for the 26-year-old Credit: AFP 9 A road sign stands near Beacon, Western Australia, Friday, July 11, 2025, near where she was last seen before disappearing Credit: AP
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Backpacker found alive after 12 days lost in Oz outback breaks silence to reveal dramatic reason she abandoned her car
A GERMAN backpacker who spend nearly two weeks lost in the Australian outback has broken her silence following her rescue. Carolina Wilga thanked her rescuers as she revealed the reason she left the safety of her vehicle in rural Western Australia. 9 Carolina Wilga has broken her silence following her dramatic rescue Credit: Western Australia Police Force 9 She revealed the reason she left the safety of her vehicle Credit: Facebook/@ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUK 9 She was found alive and airlifted to hospital on Friday Credit: 7NEWS 9 The backpacker has been recovering in a Perth hospital after her gruelling ordeal stuck in the harsh terrain of the outback. She spent 11 nights wandering barefoot through the wilderness after The 26-year-old was found in a But the backpacker has now shared the reason read more in world news Wilga revealed she had lost control of her vehicle and hit her head when it crashed, leaving her in a state of confusion. She said: "Some people might wonder why I even left my car, even though I had water, food, and clothing there. "The answer is: I lost control of the car and rolled down a slope. In the crash, I hit my head significantly. "As a result of the accident, I left my car in a state of confusion and got lost. Most read in The US Sun "I am simply beyond grateful to have survived." Before her disappearance, Wilga was last seen June 29 at a general store in Beacon, 186 miles north-east of Perth . Missing backpacker found ALIVE after nearly two weeks wandering Oz bushland She was then seen driving away in a black and silver Mitsubishi Delica van. Having spent the last two years backpacking across Australia , she recently worked at mine sites in regional WA. Her chance rescue came when she was spotted walking along on an unsealed access road. Wilga had spent nearly two weeks with minimal supplies, even resorting to drinking water from puddles and seeking shelter in caves to survive the outback's unforgiving conditions. Cops had found her bogged down vehicle less than 24 hours before she was rescued. Wilga shared her thanks to her rescuers from "the depth of my soul". 9 She had not been heard from since Sunday, 29 June Credit: Western Australia Police Force 9 She was found in a chance encounter by farmer Tania Henley Credit: 7News She said: "I am deeply impressed by the courage, helpfulness, and warmth that has been shown to me here. "Western Australia has taught me what it really means to be part of a true community. "Here, humanity, solidarity, and care for one another are what truly matter — and in the end, that's what counts most. "I am certain that I survived only thanks to this incredible outpouring of support. "The thought of all the people who believed in me, searched for me, and kept hoping for me gave me the strength to carry on during my darkest moments. "For this, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart." Bush survival expert Kelli Jackson told ABC Radio Perth that anyone caught in a similar situation should always stay with their vehicle. "It's no surprise that people leave their vehicle," she said. "If you've been through any emergency situation, a car accident or something like that, you might remember how things go in slow motion." She added that the shock people feel can make them do "really weird things" like throwing their gear away or running in a random direction. 9 Police issued a public appeal for help on July 10 in their search for the 26-year-old Credit: AFP 9 A road sign stands near Beacon, Western Australia, Friday, July 11, 2025, near where she was last seen before disappearing Credit: AP 9 Police wait by a helicopter in Beacon, Western Australia, as they prepare for their search Credit: AP
The Journal
6 days ago
- The Journal
German backpacker found after 12 days missing in Australian bush
LOST GERMAN BACKPACKER Carolina Wilga was found alive but 'ravaged by mosquitoes' on Friday, 12 days after going missing in remote bushland in Western Australia. A member of the public found the 26-year-old on a bush track at the edge of a nature reserve, and she has been taken to hospital in Perth for treatment, police said. 'She's been ravaged by mosquitoes. She's obviously been through an amazing journey, a trauma, and no doubt will be a testimony demonstrating her bravery in the circumstances out there,' WA police inspector Martin Glynn told reporters. 'I think once we do hear her story, it will be a remarkable story.' Television images showed her gingerly climbing the steps into a light turboprop plane to be flown out for medical treatment, wearing a long beige dress and blue cardigan. Wilga had been last seen on 29 June arriving in a Mitsubishi van at a general store in the small agricultural community of Beacon, northeast of Perth. Police found the van on Thursday apparently abandoned after getting stuck in dense bushland north of there, sparking a major land and air search of the area. 'She's obviously coped in some amazing conditions. There's a very hostile environment out there, both from flora and fauna. It's a really, really challenging environment to cope in,' Glynn said. No serious injuries 'The weather conditions have been really adverse, with temperatures getting down to zero. Night has been rain. There's been reports of all sorts of challenges in that terrain.' Advertisement Her van was found with plastic orange traction tracks placed beneath the rear wheels, apparently after getting stuck in the terrain. It was unclear exactly where she was found, or how far she had strayed from the vehicle. 'She would have covered a lot of ground in that time as she tried to make her way out of there,' Glynn said. The backpacker was taken to Beacon 'in quite a fragile condition', then flown to Perth for medical treatment. 'She doesn't appear to have any serious injuries. She obviously has a lot of significant minor injuries,' Glynn said, adding that Wilga would receive medical attention. 'Hopefully, once she recovers, a better assessment can be made.' Wilga's family has been notified, police said. 'It's a really good outcome,' Glynn told reporters. 'We are constantly involved in these sorts of situations and it's delightful, obviously, when you get an outcome like this. It makes everything, all the effort, worthwhile – absolutely.' Police say she had spent two years backpacking around the country, and was working at mine sites in Western Australia.
The Irish Sun
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Tottenham join Premier League rivals in race to sign £12million German wonderkid Nelson Weiper after Euros heroics
GERMAN wonderkid Nelson Weiper is on the radar of THREE Premier League clubs. The 20-year-old Mainz ace is turning heads around Europe following his form and his performances at the Under-21 European Championships. Advertisement 3 Nelson Weiper is on the transfer list of three Premier League clubs Credit: AP He appeared in six matches and netted four goals during the tournament in His aerial prowess was on display against The goal didn't stop England from going on to win the match after But SunSport understands scouts from Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL All three think he could be a strong addition to their squad and are poised to move this summer . Since debuting for Mainz in October 2022, Weiper has built a steady foundation, playing 37 times in the Bundesliga and scoring five goals, combining size, strength and smart movement. His qualities as a target man, strong in the air, adept at hold-up play, capable of drop‑offs and linking with team-mates, mean he could be a perfect fit for the Premier League. The player is likely cost around £12million, with Mainz expected to push for add-on clauses in any deal to ensure they receive more cash if he goes on to play for the senior national team. Advertisement Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Weiper is another one of Mainz's young superstars, along with He was untouchable in the youth leagues in Germany and has been rewarded with minutes in the Bundesliga. Man Utd vs Man City fan battle - 'Cristiano Ronaldo is worse than De Bruyne' | Stoppage Time Sky Germany reported last month how several clubs have been monitoring Weiper. Advertisement The striker reportedly caught the eye of Cesc Fabregas' Serie A side Como, who are weighing up a potential bid. A clause in Weiper's contract would enable Mainz to extend the player's contract until 2026. And it's believed Die Nullfünfer's boss, Christian Heidel, doesn't want to sell the youngster and would prefer to keep him. 3 Advertisement 3
