emmanuel macron has praised the excellent relationship between france and the us at the end of his state visit. but he's told a press conference he believes president trump will still walk away from the international deal that limits iran's nuclear ambitions. addressing congress earlier, he also attacked mr trump's policies on trade and the environment. thousands of people in germany from different faiths and backgrounds have joined anti—semitism rallies across the country in protest at a spate of violent attacks. many non—jews wore skullcaps — the kippah — as a sign of solidarity. california police have arrested a former police officer for a notorious spree of murders, rapes and burglaries in the 1970s and 80s. 72—year—old joseph deangelo is being held on suspicion of four counts of murder. prosecutors say additional charges are likely to follow. it's just gone half past four in the morning.

now on bbc news, hardtalk. welcome to a hardtalk from brussels. i'm stephen sackur. today i am in the headquarters of the eu's executive body, the commission, the engine room of the eu. but how smoothly is that engine running? for all of the focus on brexit, babs the bigger challenge to eu unity comes from a growing fault line between east and west within the european club. today, my guest is vera jourova. how was the commission coping with an increasingly fractious europe? —— perhaps the bigger. commissioner vera jourova, welcome

to hardtalk. they give for having the year. do you accept that there isa the year. do you accept that there is a potentially dangerous fault line between the vision of what the european union can be and should be thatis european union can be and should be that is being developed in paris and in germany, and the vision that we hear and see coming from poland, hungary, and from your own country, the czech republic? it could be dangerous if we do not listen to each other. because the west and east have different historical development, backgrounds, the people have different fears and different ideas. and that is why i think that the lack of two mitigation between west and east might be the problem. and i know it is a general answer,

but i want to say that i as the eastern, i am a patriot of the czech republic, but also very devoted as a european. —— easterner. and many people in the east love living on the continent with a prosperous market and with the rights being guaranteed. so i think that we need to listen more to each other and other chant —— and understand better. i guess the nations of east and central europe are working together in a close way. we have this so—called busy grateful, which involves poland, hungary, slovakia, and the czech republic. they had this meeting where your prime minister said we cannot and will not be in minister said we cannot and will not beina minister said we cannot and will not be in a position where we, meaning the visegrad four, except only two

big nations, france and germany, and the eu commission that decide everything. is that a feeling that is growing, that the french, the germans, the commission in brussels, are imposing their will? it might be like that, but i know the prime minister... well, he is the leader of your country. yes. but eight binky mentored in the way that we need to be more vocal. this is what i would say easily because the worst possible scenario is that some countries will keep complaining. the germans and french will decide everything on the heart of themselves. this must not happen. this is why this is normal that alliances like the visegrad four or others are gathering, debating their visions, which should be shared by the others in the eu. it is pretty normal. so let us take an important

test case of what is happening between east and west. that is poland. the polish government made some key changes to the judicial system, including people in a supreme courtjustices. system, including people in a supreme court justices. —— system, including people in a supreme courtjustices. —— visegrad four. you have a role in assessing those changes. it is clear that the commission as a whole does not like them. —— polish. but have you gone too far in your determination to change the polish government's decision on an important matter. poland is a democratic state that has free elections. they have the right to free reforms. the commission's role is to assess the situation and when we see systematic breach of the rule of law, we have two come with the opinion — and this

is not be in the commission involved in the procedure. because in due time we put this on the table of the ministers of all the member states so ministers of all the member states so that they shared the opinion... so to be clear about this, commissioner, you are saying that the democratically elected lorin justice party is acting in a way thatis justice party is acting in a way that is entirely contrary to the values of the european union. in terms that we can talk about the a bstra ct terms that we can talk about the abstract idea of rule of law, we described where we see the breach of the rule of law and the danger. i can reflect on it not only as the justice commissioner but also as a person from the czech republic. what i see person from the czech republic. what isee in person from the czech republic. what i see in it is that in some countries, when the government comes to rule, they think that the winner ta kes to rule, they think that the winner takes it all. and it must not be like that, because we have two

insist on having independent judicial read in the state. what is good to happen to this stand—off between poland and the european union? had the polish by minister the other day talk about modifications to the plans put forward by the polish government. —— polish. it has to do with how justices are appointed to the supreme court. he says that there is now an 80% chance that poland can solve this dispute with the commission. do you share that optimism? i share the optimism that there will not be cosmetic changes, but we see in poland that there is a guaranteed independent usury. i would be happy if we settled this dispute, because we need strong partnership within the eu, between the states. it is usually corrosive, isn't it, to unity in the european union? the notion that one nation

can be suspended, can lose its right to vote in european institutions, because it is acting in a way that the other member states regard as entirely contrary to european values. it is a task decision with tough possible results. but do as your question, on whether it is a domestic or european issue, in the justice area, we have to maintain and present trust between the member states, because thejudges in and present trust between the member states, because the judges in the straight one now is to fully trust thejudges in straight one now is to fully trust the judges in member state straight one now is to fully trust thejudges in member state to. —— member state one. —— judges in member state one. —— judges in member state one. —— judges in member state two. she has to trust the polish judiciary. —— member state two. she has to trust the polishjudiciary. —— polish. it isa the polishjudiciary. —— polish. it is a rolling signal. not only for

the eu, but also for poland, that we need to solve this and sold at certain, andi need to solve this and sold at certain, and i hope i don't know if i share the optimism of 80%, but i do hope we will settle the scene. that's put this in a broader perspective. this is notjust about poland. this notion of deep discontent in east and central europe with things that they get from brussels goes marcs, a much widerfrom the from brussels goes marcs, a much wider from the commission that every member state, including the eastern and central european members, must ta ke and central european members, must take their share or quota of immigrants coming into the european union. —— brussels goes much. you're in country and hungary and poland are being taken to the european court ofjustice because they refused to accept the idea of burden sharing and quotas. —— your own country. how embarrassed are you as

justice commissioner that your own country in is refusing to accept the commission's rules. —— rules? chile make of course i am unhappy with the situation. i must correct you. —— of course i am unhappy with the situation. but it was the decision of the council which dealt with migration issues. of course, and now being incremented by the commission. and some countries went against that, including the czech republic. so now it is for the czech republic to face the situation and bring the arguments and to find a way out. i am not happy about that. here is what your own prime minister said recently: these quotas are dividing europe, they are ineffective, and it isa europe, they are ineffective, and it is a huge problem for the image of europe in the eyes of our citizens. is he right? i started this debate by saying that the west and east was

developing in different conditions. and now we have it. the migration quota has divided us because the strategy of eastern countries is different to the western countries, because the societies in the east and the centre of europe and the east are more or less monocultural society. and they have their fears and apprehensions. —— monocultural societies. accepting the quota will not mean that they will have two except the multicultural scheme. i must say as a check person that they have to see that 90% of people think this is a problem in my country. so i think the national politicians need to deal with this. —— czech person. but back to your question, of course, from the beginning, i had big doubts about the quota and whether it can function in practice, and whether it is acceptable for

some countries, including mine. just— just... sometimes commissioners are in a difficult position. let's think again about your role as justice commissioner. you have to put your input into the current debate about the next eu budget. anti—europe, it seems, have been putting forward the idea, or you were, that countries should be judged on their adherence to the rules and regulations of the eu and that those who are failing to adhere to the rules may find that they have to the rules may find that they have to deal with consequences. —— and in europe. essentially, punishment for bad behaviour in terms of finance and budget. is that your position today? it is not punishment. it is nothing new. these countries had to

comply with many are many rules. this is nothing new. you said in helsinki in 2017, in october, that we should consider creating stronger conditionality between the rule of law and these cohesion funds. so you do want to change things. you want to tighten it up? i have not changed an inch. i say we have two condition the money by the things which matter. the rule of law matters. and what they have in mind is a function judicial, functioning procurement system, sound financial management. these are the things which matter. it is nothing new. it isjust formulation of the condition. so do you think that the language you are using of this conditionality and

judging from brussels whether countries are adhering to the rule of law, whether they will get the funding that they are expecting from brussels — do you think all this language is helping the cause of europe, if i can put it that way, and prague or walsall or budapest right now? —— to one. and prague or walsall or budapest right now? -- to one. i think people understand why absorbing the money from the common budget must be balanced by a working judicial system and their decision—making by judges. —— fair decision making. we need to address that. it is notjust me who says the rule of law matters. —— law matters in relation to money. it is the concern of the taxpayers of the eu. who contribute. and i

think... i talk about perception and feeling towards europe. think about your own country, the most recent euro barometer polls had only 30% of czechs had positive feelings to the european union. and the numbers of party supporting a referendum on leaving the european union is rising. we saw it in the last parliamentary elections. what about is going on? it has to change. we have to change it, because i think that we have not communicated well why the european union is the best option for the citizens, and one thing must be said. ifeel citizens, and one thing must be said. i feel myself obliged to do that, but there must be local entrepreneurs, the scientific sphere, the mayors who understand the importance of the eu for their

flourishing municipalities. a look at the... look at the power of the m essa 9 es at the... look at the power of the messages coming from mr 0rban in hungary. 0ne messages coming from mr 0rban in hungary. one can say from your own president and to a certain extent your prime minister in the czech republic, one can also talk about leaders of justice republic, one can also talk about leaders ofjustice and law in poland. there is a deep, deep strain of euroscepticism. some of them refer to brussels as the new moscow, and some of them are looking at the exit and thinking maybe the brits are onto something. —— looking at brexit. i don't know which statistical figures you have about four hungary and poland, we see our very high number showing that the people want to stay in the eu. well, iam people want to stay in the eu. well, i am interested in your country, where the numbers are nowhere near so where the numbers are nowhere near so good. but you mention mr 0rban, coming back to my country, there is a historically deeply rooted fear that there will always be somebody,

somebody dictating to us from outside. and part of our society does not make a big difference between vienna and hapsburg empire, and berlin and moscow. now, they say it is brussels. that is why i am happy to hear from it is brussels. that is why i am happy to hearfrom other it is brussels. that is why i am happy to hear from other czech politicians that they want to be more active in european politics. to have stronger ownership for what is being decided in brussels, and to come back home and say look, people, this was our decision. this is not anyone from outside. just a quick point on brexit, before we quickly get on the other matters. theresa may, the prime minister in britain, appears adamant that written will not be a member of the customs union post the exit, will not be a part of the single european market, but does wa nt the single european market, but does

want a very favourable trade deal. now, for you, do you think it would be dangerous to give britain that sort of favourable trade deal, because it might encourage others to look at the exit door? we are seeking for a balanced approach. the obligations and the rights and privileges. so we do not want any privileges. so we do not want any privileges four countries including the uk. no special privileges for the uk. no special privileges for the uk? will be a matter of negotiations on the future strategic partnership, and we are doing this for the first time. we have to do this right. it will be dependent both on brussels and london, and i strongly believe, also, based on the knowledge of my files, and understanding of the strong need to have a strong partnership, that we could manage it. i am responsible partly for security measures. this

is of high importance, that we will keep very strong line between the eu and uk. data protection is another. well, we will talk more about data protection in a minute. just one more specific point about the commission. the appointment of martin as secretary general of the commission, the chief eurocrat in brussels overseeing the machinery of the commission, it was the most extraordinary appointment. he went for thejob of deputy extraordinary appointment. he went for the job of deputy and within a couple of hours the incumbent in the topjob, the couple of hours the incumbent in the top job, the secretary general‘s job had quit, and mr selmayr wasjust nodded through on the advice of his former boss, juncker, who is president of the commission. this is the most people across europe looks dodgy, it looks wrong, it looks entirely unaccountable. you sat in the room while it happened. did you feel comfortable? i also explained the procedure, respecting the rules,

and the selection respect the rules. soi and the selection respect the rules. so i was myself surprise. what kind of appointment happens within three 01’ of appointment happens within three orfour of appointment happens within three or four mac of appointment happens within three orfour mac hours, with no of appointment happens within three or four mac hours, with no contest, and where the man who gets the job is the former chief of staff of the president of the commission, and the president of the commission himself believes it through. what kind of appointment is that? very likely the rules of the procedure to enable such quick action. again, i think it was sufficiently explained that the rules have been respected, and that mrjuncker is open to changing the rules in the future of some people think they are not right. do you think they are not right. do you think they are right? this is by the rules, do you think those rules are right? if not, let's change them, but the commission... what do you think? i am not an expert on

international rules in the commission. well, you are the justice commissioner. it is an importantjob justice commissioner. it is an important job and your voice matters. let's just quickly deal with two big matters in your in tray right now. one is data protection. so much focus on this after the revelations of what happened to all of the personal data, millions of people's data being, without their knowledge or consent, being given to cambridge analytica and used by them from facebook. you have said that was a threat to our democracy. you have also said europe is taking measures to ensure it can't happen again. how can you ensure it won't happen again? first of all, there are two lines. the protection of data, and we need to insist that companies including those giants cambridge analytica, operating in the european market from the united states, american companies, fully comply with the data protection rules in the eu. and if not, there will be sanctions. we have quite

draconic sanctions. yes, but the new data protection regulations that are coming in very soon, they have, you know, quite big fines, think of the 20 million euros for companies that do not adhere to the strict protection rules. facebook, google, the giants of the information tech industry, they do get their users to sign consent forms. and if you do sign consent forms. and if you do sign the consent, then your rights, asi sign the consent, then your rights, as i understand it, are not safeguarded. if you have consented. according to other rules, the people have to be asked in a simple way, because the people, not all of them are not lawyers who are able to read sophisticated texts. so they have to be informed in a simple way of. what the company was the data for. and the company was the data for. and

the purpose is very important. the giants of the industry, facebook, google, etc, they can afford to employ digital protection units, and officers and thousands of staff, if necessary. but your regulations will hit every company around the world that users consumer data from european citizens, and there is a fear among some that the rules are going to actually put new costs on start up businesses, innovative tech companies, inside europe, and actually hamper their growth. can you be sure that won't happen?” actually hamper their growth. can you be sure that won't happen? i am pretty much sure that... of course there will be costs for the companies, which use the data for processing, for monetising, who have their core business based on data processing. and here, i have to be tough. the companies are making money on getting the private data from people. so they have to bring

something back. they have to keep... again, the respect of every individual. and you know, in data protection we are in a difficult situation. the protection of privacy isa situation. the protection of privacy is a fundamental right in the eu. at the same time, the private data came the same time, the private data came the money, the currency. and we have two cop with... the balance and find a way out of this skitter phrenic situation. in gdpr, our rules are in response to that. those companies which do not process the data on an everyday basis, they will have to do some necessary basic arrangement, like having a good antivirus and anti— hacking programme in their pc. commissioner v ra jourova, we have to end there. thank you very much

for being on hardtalk. thank you very much. well, wednesday was a classic april day — sunny spells and heavy april showers. these big cumulonimbus clouds developing through the day, bringing downpours, some hail, and some thunder. and this gorgeous weather watch picture from sue in wakefield shows one of those cumulonimbus clouds decaying in the sunset. now, as we head through the night and into thursday morning, our showers will still be pouring in from the west or north—west direction, on a fairly brisk breeze, as well. but by the end of the night, and into thursday morning, they will become confined more to western areas, whereas much of eastern scotland, central, southern and eastern england and eastern wales should be largely dry, with clear spells. it's going to be quite a chilly start to thursday, temperatures for many as low as into low to mid single figures.

but it does mean thursday starts off on a bright note, albeit rather chilly. and there'll be lots of sunshine through the morning. showers, though, from the word go across western areas will tend to filter eastwards once again. but the difference for thursday is that there'll be far fewer showers around wednesday. and in fact, much of england and wales should be largely dry, particularly central, southern and eastern parts, with temperatures reaching 15, maybe 16 celsius. but again, feeling quite fresh further north and west, especially where those showers are. now, as we head on in towards friday, we look to the south—west to this area of low pressure, which is going to move into the south—west of the uk, bringing increasing amounts of rain through the day here, some of it quite heavy, strengthening winds, as well. it looks like, at this stage, it's going to spread across much of england and wales, perhaps not the very far north of england. for scotland and northern ireland, here, another day of sunshine and showers. maybe even some wintriness or hail over the higher ground. and it's going to feel much cooler as well, temperatures of 8—12 celsius. it's going to feel pretty miserable when that rain moves in across southern areas.

and not much change into the weekend. it looks like it's going to stay unsettled because we're going to hold onto low pressure. most of the rain will be across southern and eastern parts of the country. there will be some sunny spells around as well, and it's set to turn windy, especially across the south—east. this is saturday's picture, then. not a bad day for many northern and western areas. a few showers around across scotland, some of them again heavy and wintry over the hills. but not a bad day, like i mentioned, with some sunshine. a bit of cloud across the south—east. temperatures again on the cool side — 8—12 celsius. and then, as we head into sunday, looks like that area of low pressure could return to the south—east of the country to bring some pretty heavy and persistent rain, and also the winds picking up here, gale—force gusts touching maybe 50—55 mph. it could cause some disruption. better weather further north and west, with a greater chance of seeing some sunshine, but again it's going to feel on the cool side. hello. this is the briefing. i'm sally bundock. the top stories: ending his 3—day state visit, emmanuel macron says he believes president trump will walk away

from the iran nuclear deal. president moon and kim jong—un are set for talks and even a little treeplanting in tomorrow's historic inter—korean summit. a retired police officer is arrested in california in connection with a notorious spree of rapes and murders in the 1970s and 80s. in business, winning back friends on wall street: facebook shares jump as earnings soar again despite the privacy scandal.