05:11The United States
10:29Today was officially meant to mark the end of the US-Israeli war against Iran
10:33and the beginning of the new stage of negotiations.
10:36A 14-point memorandum of understanding setting out the framework for talks
10:40during a 60-day negotiation period was though already signed
10:43remotely by the US and Iran on Wednesday.
10:47For more, we can head straight to Switzerland
10:48and bring in AP correspondent Philip Crowther.
10:52Good morning, Philip.
10:53So just tell us what exactly is happening?
10:54Why was the signing ceremony called off?
10:57And what does it say about the Trump administration's confidence in this very deal?
11:04I'll tell you what, we'll just stick around here and wait and see.
11:07See if Vice President J.D. Vance maybe turns up in the end.
11:11He has postponed his trip for now.
11:13That does not mean that he might be here later, maybe at the weekend.
11:17All the other parties also stand ready, not here in Switzerland right now,
11:22but in their respective capitals, to potentially travel over here to Switzerland
11:26for talks on Iran's nuclear program.
11:29Those parties, of course, being the United States, Iran,
11:32but also the mediators of this memorandum of understanding that has been signed,
11:37those mediators being Pakistan and Qatar.
11:40Now, there's no official reason for there to be a signing ceremony here in Switzerland.
11:46You'd like to have one, of course, if you're proud of the agreement that has been reached.
11:50Maybe that is simply not the case for the United States.
11:53A lot of criticism coming from pretty much both sides of the political aisle,
11:58including Republicans, of this deal that was reached between the United States and Iran.
12:04Again, no reason really to sign it again, because it has already been signed by Iran in Tehran,
12:10by U.S. President Donald Trump in Versailles over dinner with his French counterpart,
12:14and also by the mediator, Pakistan.
12:17Does it show a lack of confidence in this deal from the United States?
12:22Well, maybe.
12:23It is something that the Trump administration is having a very hard time selling back in Washington,
12:29and that might be one of the reasons why this trip so far is not working out.
12:35J.D. Vance, the U.S. Vice President, though, made it clear yesterday that he is still willing to travel
12:41here
12:42to start another round of negotiations on Iran's nuclear program,
12:46because remember that these were discussions between the United States and Iran
12:49that were actually happening before the war began at the end of February.
12:53OK, Philip Crowther.
12:54But, of course, some good news with oil prices dropping as the Strait of Ormuz gradually reopens.
12:59Thank you so much for that live broadcast there from Switzerland.
13:02And for more analysis, we can now bring in Tommy Houtenen,
13:05the director of the European People's Party think tank here in Brussels,
13:09known, of course, as the Wilfred Martin Centre.
13:11Good morning, Tommy.
13:11Good morning.
13:12Tell us, what is the view from Brussels on this U.S. Iran deal?
13:16Well, as you said, you have very clearly two dimensions.
13:19As you mentioned, markets seem to be very happy.
13:22Oil prices are going down.
13:23So, you know, you have impression it's a lasting piece.
13:26But as the cancellation of the meeting in Switzerland indicates,
13:31the deal is very fragile.
13:33And the problem remains.
13:35You have the issue of, you know, Iran nuclear capabilities,
13:41enrichments to 60% straight of Ormuz.
13:45And how is that going to open up and the regional implications?
13:49And that's the thing, the fact that the U.S. vice president is no longer traveling to Switzerland
13:53for the signing, nor the talks.
13:55It's a bad sign, right?
13:57Yeah.
13:57Well, I think that they are, there's two dimensions.
14:01They are trying to hurry it up.
14:03But you have the dimension of Iran, the negotiations, who is starting first, who is making the first
14:08commitment.
14:09On the other hand, you have impression that in Washington, there's a high pressure from
14:13conservatives' side, but in overall about the deal.
14:17I think that they are going to manage that.
14:18And I think Vance is maybe trying to avoid the situation where he's kind of somehow going
14:22there and trapped.
14:24Normally in those meetings, when you go there, it's normally for signing.
14:28You need to know what's going to be agreed.
14:30And that's clearly not the case this time.
14:33And of course, Lebanon is left out of the deal.
14:35Absolutely.
14:35What leverage do the Europeans have here?
14:37Well, as Macron has said, you know, we need to be, need to be involved.
14:43Leverage, there's not so much.
14:44States, this discussion of 300, 300 billion euros.
14:48Of course, that's just a framework to be agreed in upcoming 60 days.
14:52Maybe that gives some leverage, but it's very clear indicates when we need to be, the
14:57Lebanon is, is the crucial point.
14:59Because as you mentioned, Israel is out of the deal and we will see how they react.
15:03And last night at the EU summit, Tommy, we saw a big fight among EU leaders regarding
15:07Antonio Costa, the president's liaisons with the Kremlin.
15:11What is your view here?
15:12Was he right to get in touch?
15:13I think what is very important, especially in the European side, when we have various
15:18players, we have EU institutions, we are head of states, we are investing a lot on Ukraine
15:23and we have Ukrainians, especially as Ukraine in the future will be seen more as a net
15:27security provider.
15:29And clearly the coordination has not worked.
15:32You should be more or less in the same chat group on information.
15:35I think that that's the issue, because because if that coordination does not happen, there's
15:40two questions there.
15:41First of all, what is the signal?
15:42Have we agreed?
15:43Are we pushing the same message?
15:45Because you should.
15:46Secondly, is Ukraine involved?
15:47So was Antonio Costa wrong?
15:49I think it's very clear that the coordination has not worked.
15:53I think that's crucial on this issue, and I think many head of states have indicated that.
15:59That will be dominating, again, the talks here in Brussels.
16:03Tomi Houten, thank you so much for joining us here on Europe Today.
16:06But now, of course, despite the busy week on the geopolitical and diplomatic front, the
16:11FIFA World Cup tournament has been providing ample drama, lots of surprises and, of course,
16:16unforgettable moments.
16:17Our Jakob Janis refreshes our memories now on the five biggest moments of the very first
16:21week.
16:24Skip the standard scorelines.
16:26The opening tournament round has delivered pure drama, historic records and unbelievable
16:31spectacles.
16:32And your reporter wanted to look at the top five group stage champions.
16:35It's a bit subjective, but these five are completely undeniable.
16:39Let's start with number five.
16:41Who is the strongest team?
16:43Following a clinical opening round, France looks like the absolute frontrunner, leaping ahead
16:49of Spain, who unexpectedly drew against newcomers Cape Verde.
16:53Also, a brace from Real Madrid star, Kylian Mbappe, has firmly fueled French optimism.
16:59Number four.
17:00When it comes to the best individual performance, it has to be Lionel Messi.
17:04Do you remember that in 2018, Pundits claimed it was his final World Cup match?
17:10Now we are eight years later, and this 38-year-old icon stunned the world with an opening hat-trick,
17:16matching Miloslav Klose's 16-goal record.
17:19So let's be honest, his legendary status remains completely unmatched.
17:23At number three.
17:24The tournament's biggest disappointment goes to Messi's nemesis, Cristiano Ronaldo.
17:28He already made history playing against Congo, matching Messi's record of playing in six World Cups.
17:34However, what followed highly disappointed Portuguese fans?
17:38With no goals, no successful dribbles, and two missed clear opportunities,
17:43it is simply not Di Ronaldo we remember.
17:46And here goes number two.
17:47A moving display followed Germany's dominant 7-1 triumph over debutants Curaçao.
17:53And at full-time, German stars Yannat Anta and Felix Nemecza join hands with the opposing players for a pitch
18:00-side prayer,
18:01offering a testament of their shared faith.
18:03So maybe football unites after all.
18:06Finally, number one.
18:08And Norway's ultimate fan culture.
18:10After 28 years away, they returned in style,
18:13leading a group with France and Senegal after beating Iraq 4-1.
18:17And alongside Erling Haaland's Brace, their passionate supporters floated social media,
18:23bringing a vibrant Viking spirit to the local stadiums.
18:26And with a massive number of games still left to play,
18:29this tournament is only just heating up.
18:31So if you missed any of these incredible moments,
18:33make sure you stay glued for all the upcoming matches.
18:41Jakob Janis reporting for us there.
18:43And for more news on the FIFA World Cup or any stories breaking across Europe,
18:47including the sizzling temperatures that are creeping back just weeks
18:50after a deadly heatwave grips the continent,
18:52you can always visit our website, yournews.com.
18:55But that brings this edition of Europe Today to an end.
18:58Thank you so much for spending your Friday morning with us.
19:01Do get in touch with any questions or comments.
19:03Our email address is europetoday at euronews.com.
19:06But in the meantime, take care and see you soon on Euro News.
19:39Thank you.
19:41Bye.
19:50Bye.
19:51Bye.
19:53Bye.
19:55Bye.
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