Am Montagmorgen sind die europäischen Aussenminister in Luxemburg zu einem Gipfeltreffen angereist, an dem unter anderem der Brexit und das Verschwinden des saudischen Journalisten Jamal Khashoggi besprochen werden sollen. Der slowakische Aussenminister Miroslav Lajcak erklärte, dass er sich angesichts des Verschwindens von Khashoggi «nicht vorstellen kann, dass die Europäische Union zu einem derart bizarren Fall schweigt.» Der britische Aussenminister Jeremy Hunt ist sich indes bezüglich des Brexit sicher, dass ein Abkommen gefunden werden könne, «das für die Europäische Union und unsere Partner und Freunde in Europa funktioniert». Grossbritannien verlässt die EU offiziell am 29. März 2019.

Byline: Laura Zimmermann

Location: Luxemburg Luxemburg

Notes:

EU foreign ministers gather ahead of a critical Brexit summit

SHOTLIST:

EBS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Luxembourg - 15 October 2018

1. Arrival of Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Miroslav Lajcak, Slovak Foreign Minister:

"I hope we will be discussing this, I mean, the issue of journalists is a very important issue for the European Union and I cannot imagine the European union being silent on such a bizarre case and I really hope there will be a thorough investigation until the very end."

3. Cutaway of flags

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Miroslav Lajcak, Slovak Foreign Minister:

"I'm not less optimistic. I still believe that there is enough responsibility on both sides to understand that no deal would be the worst outcome for everyone. So ok, we hoped to have a deal last night, it's not the case, but there is no reason to panic. Still, there is still time."

5. Arrival of British Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeremy Hunt, British Foreign Minister:

"I think everyone in the UK should have confidence that this prime minister, Theresa May, will never sign a deal that is not compatible with the letter and spirit of the referendum result, but we also firmly believe that we can find a deal on that basis that works for the European Union, and our partners and friends in Europe. And today is a very good example of why that partnership is so important, because we have agreed a sanctions regime for people who use chemical weapons. Remember this is the first year in British history that we've had chemical weapons used on British soil and our friends in Europe, and indeed outside Europe, have stood behind Britain to say this cannot be allowed to happen and I think that's a good example of why that partnership is so important to all of us."

7. Arrival of Maltese Foreign Minister Carmelo Abela

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Carmelo Abela, Maltese Foreign Minister:

"Well, I think it's time not to be nervous, but to engage even further, to see where are the differences, where are the possible solutions to that. I think we need to work on both sides to have a deal. It's in the interest of all, I believe, and as the chief negotiator always said, Brexit is a lose-lose situation, so we have to make our outmost, at least, to be not 100% lose-lose situation."

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Federica Mogherini, EU Chief of Foreign Affairs:

"The European Union expects full investigations from the authority of Saudi Arabia, full cooperation with the Turkish authorities, in line with what also our main partners and allies have expressed, mainly in Washington, but elsewhere. So, we expect and we hope that there will be transparency and full clarity on what happened. And, yes, I will for sure discuss this with the ministers at the beginning of our meeting."

10. Cutaway of flags

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Federica Mogherini, EU Chief of Foreign Affairs:

"I believe I expressed the position of all when I said, for the time being, we expect first of all transparency, clarity and co-operation on shedding light on what happened and then we will see."

12. Mogherini walking into building

STORYLINE:

European foreign ministers arrived in Luxembourg on Monday morning for a summit which will tackle a number of issues, including Brexit and the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Addressing the reported disappearance of Khashoggi, Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak said he "cannot imagine the European Union being silent on such a bizarre case".

On the same issue, EU Foreign Affairs Chief Federica Mogherini said she expected "full investigations from the authority of Saudi Arabia, full cooperation with the Turkish authorities".

On Brexit, British Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt said he believes a deal "that works for the European Union, and our partners and friends in Europe" can be found.

Talks between the two sides on Sunday failed to bridge important gaps, notably on how to keep goods flowing freely between EU member state Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is in the UK, after Britain officially leaves.

Britain officially exits the EU on 29 March 2019, but a deal must be clinched in coming weeks to allow time for the EU and UK parliaments to ratify it.

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