EU mulls asking Britain to return stolen artefacts

THE EU hardened its stance for looming negotiations on a new deal with Britain, from firmer demands for fair competition guarantees that would “stand the test of time” to raising the prospect of demanding the return of stolen cultural goods from London, according to a draft document.

Britain left the EU last month and both sides are now talking tough ahead of the launch of negotiations of their future relationship which is due next month. They aim to agree by the end of the year on a deal that would cover a raft of issues.

Ambassadors of the 27 EU states are due to discuss the updated negotiating mandate at a meeting in Brussels today before it gets the final stamp of approval this month.

Changes from a previous version include the strengthening of the “levelling playing field” provisions.

“The envisaged partnership should include an ambitious, wide-ranging and balanced economic partnership, insofar as there are sufficient guarantees for a level playing field,” it said.

The 27 would also demand similar clauses for international maritime transport and other areas.

In a jibe at Britain, where ancient Greek Elgin Marbles are on display at the British Museum in London, the draft document was also updated to state: “The Parties should address issues relating to the return or restitution of unlawfully removed cultural objects to their countries of origin.”

Meanwhile, yesterday, EU finance ministers placed the Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean, on the bloc’s tax-haven blacklist

The ministers also added Panama, the Seychelles and the Pacific Sea archipelago of Palau to the eight tax jurisdictions already singled out for failing to co-operate with EU efforts to make companies and individuals pay their dues.

The four jurisdictions blacklisted had previously committed to tax reforms, but failed to implement them by a deadline agreed with Brussels.

Panama in particular has come under close scrutiny following the massive Panama Papers data leak in 2016 on the use of legal loopholes for firms and individuals to avoid paying taxes.

The EU’s blacklist system was set up in 2017 as part of a broader crackdown on tax avoidance after a series of such revelations, with a view to promoting good tax practices.