Eurotopics.net

May will meet Juncker and Tusk today, Thursday, to discuss whether there is still any scope for an orderly Brexit. The main bone of contention is the backstop mechanism for guaranteeing an open border on the island of Ireland. The EU has made it clear that the backstop is not up for negotiation - and many commentators also stress that the solution to the border issue isn't to be found in Brussels.

Greek Prime Minister Tsipras has visited Turkish President Erdoğan. Despite many bones of contention such as Cyprus, natural gas reserves in the Mediterranean and the extradition of Turkish soldiers currently in Greece, the two statesmen sought harmony. The press sees little reason for joy nonetheless.

EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager has blocked a merger between the train divisions of Siemens and Alstom. The producers of the ICE and TGV wanted to join forces to compete against their Chinese rivals and had the backing of the governments in Paris and Berlin. Are the Brussels competition watchdogs making the right decision?

The new European Chief Prosecutor is to take office in 2020. The leading candidate for the post is the former chief prosecutor of Romania's anti-corruption agency (DNA), Laura Codruța Kövesi. But Romania's justice minister apparently wants to prevent her appointment and has said he will inform his European colleagues about alleged abuses committed by Cövesi. In Romania this personal affair has taken on major dimensions for the government and for the people.

Russia's Ministry of Education has taken an economics textbook that has been used in upper secondary education for more than 20 years off its list of recommended books. The author was requested to make his book more patriotic: criticism of government decisions was inappropriate and the current economic policy was to be commended, he was told. Commentators say the state is interfering in matters that don't concern it.