NEW: #UK #EU 🐟 #fishing deal to last until 2038 - according to two EU Diplomats. One source says it amounts to rollover of existing terms. This, I’m told, is current text.

Quid pro quo. EU gets 12 year fishing deal and UK gets agri-food agreement. It was a direct trade-off, I’m told.

The return of freedom of movement….. For ferrets… and other pets. #petpassports

NEW: #EU #UK deal is out. It says they'll work towards: 🔹A 'balanced youth experience scheme' 🔹The association of the UK to the EU Erasmus+ programme 🔹Establishing a common SPS agreement

"My dear Keir," says EU chief Ursula von der Leyen. (Don't forget she said "Dear Rishi" too)

There is a *bit* of gloating going on in Brussels about #UK / #EU deal. One diplomat writes: "The deal is balanced—arguably with favourable terms for the EU—and simply shows that splendid isolation is not an option in today's climate."

Doing more business with the #EU inevitably means doing more talking. In that regard, today is just the beginning. ⬇️ My analysis from Brussels ⬇️ bbc.com/news/articles/…

🇩🇪 German military vehicles being proudly put on display, by the Bundeswehr, in Lithuania 🇱🇹 Would’ve been unthinkable not so long ago Comes as Germany is setting up a brigade here to help strengthen NATO’s eastern flank - following Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine

German soldiers march through Vilnius to mark the establishment of a permanent brigade in Lithuania Locals are waving double-side flags 🇩🇪 🇱🇹 - & tell me they welcome troops who can help protect NATO’s eastern flank

“We are ready to defend Europe’s freedom against any aggressor,” says German Chancellor Friedrich Merz - addressing a ceremony in Vilnius

🎥 WATCH: Germany’s 🇩🇪 Zeitenwende in action. Fascinating trip to 🇱🇹 Lithuania as Berlin breaks another post-war taboo. bbc.com/news/videos/cd…

Several people injured in knife attack at Hamburg railway station with suspect arrested, German police say bbc.in/45pUHSO

#German Chancellor says there will no longer be "range restrictions" on weapons supplied to Ukraine. Kyiv should be able to defend itself by attacking military positions in Russia - Merz says. Does this mean Berlin is set to supply Taurus missiles to Kyiv?

Merz & Zelensky in Berlin. Press conference coming up with the two at any moment.

bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

How will Merz fare in the Oval Office...

#Germany will need up to 60,000 more troops under new NATO targets for weapons and personnel, according to Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. The government in Berlin has said it's aiming to create Europe's strongest conventional army.

TRUMP 🇺🇸 MERZ 🇩🇪 so far * Trump criticizes Merkel's migration policy (Merz won't mind this!) * Says there'll hopefully be US/EU trade deal * Welcomes 🇩🇪 spending more on defence but jokes could be point he says "please don't" arm anymore * Suggests he'll keep US troops in Germany

Friedrich Merz will be pleased with that.

That 🇺🇸🇩🇪 Oval Office meeting brings to mind what Friedrich Merz recently said about how to talk to Donald Trump. "It's always important not to talk for too long, but to keep it short and also let him talk." (Speaking on WDR)