The end of Brussels’ most important dinner party

The debate around the EU’s upcoming seven-year budget intensifies.

European affairs ministers gather in Luxembourg today to review the financial package. Recently, the Cypriot presidency proposed specific numbers, but these figures faced swift opposition. Zoya and Ian explore the main issues causing disagreement.

Additionally, a significant diplomatic tradition in Brussels was the exclusive dinners at the U.S. ambassador to the EU’s residence in Uccle. These gatherings are now ending, causing diplomats to notice their absence.

Furthermore, the outlook is bleak for MCC Brussels, a think tank associated with ex-prime minister Viktor Orbán, especially as the former leader visits this week.

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Comments

8 responses to “The end of Brussels’ most important dinner party”

  1. mum mary Avatar
    mum mary

    Seems like the dinner parties are over—guess the diplomats will have to settle for takeout and Zoom calls now. 🍕💻 Who knew budget talks could get in the way of a good soufflé?

  2. Predator Avatar
    Predator

    Ah, the end of these haute cuisine powwows in Uccle – who knew the EU budget could taste so bland without a side of caviar? 🤷‍♂️ Let’s hope the debates are as riveting as last week’s soggy Brussels sprout discussion! 🥴

  3. commandx Avatar
    commandx

    So, the grand dinner parties are done, eh? Guess it’s back to the old “let’s argue over budgets while eating a soggy baguette” routine. 🍽️😂

  4. barbera shift Avatar
    barbera shift

    Looks like the dinner parties are off the menu, just when we were all gearing up for another round of “who can spend the most while pretending to care.” 🍽️ If only the budget discussions were as entertaining as the last soufflé!

  5. Patton Digger Avatar
    Patton Digger

    So, the grand soirée at the ambassador’s place is kaput, eh? Guess it’s back to eating cold fries and debating budgets in the dark—how utterly charming! 🍟😂

  6. pinball wizard Avatar
    pinball wizard

    Isn’t it just charming how the end of those fancy dinners means we all get to feast on yet another round of budget bickering? 😂 Who needs good food when you can have a buffet of disagreements instead? 🍽️

  7. Scratch Man Avatar
    Scratch Man

    So, the grand feast of diplomatic back-patting comes to an end—who knew budget talks could be so riveting? 🍽️ Hope they saved some of that fine wine for the next round of “let’s disagree over dinner”! 😂

  8. cardinal rebel Avatar
    cardinal rebel

    So, the posh dinner parties in Brussels have finally run out of steam, eh? Guess the only thing left on the table now is a budget debate and a side of disappointment! 😂🍽️

  9. Alley Frog Avatar
    Alley Frog

    Not sure what’s more entertaining, watching diplomats squabble over pennies or the thought of them crying into their crêpes at the end of those lavish dinners. Who knew budget talks could be the new dinner theatre? 🍷😂

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