Boris Johnson did not provide any corroborating evidence about the details of the phone call.

Bestselling author Derek Blyth picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets of Belgium every day
Behind the Scenes: Back on track?
Train travel could enjoy a vintage year, if governments get their acts together.

EU Tracker
- Tomorrow - Qatargate fallout
MEPs on the transport committee interview Commission officials about the ratification of the EU-Qatar aviation deal. Details here.
- 1 February - Hungary's NATO vote
The Hungarian parliament is supposed to vote in February on Finland and Sweden’s bids to join NATO. Hungary is the only European country that has not yet given its seal of approval.
- 3 February - Ukraine summit
The annual EU-Ukraine summit will take place in Kyiv on 3 February.
- 5 February - Cyprus ballot
Cypriots will go to the polls to elect a new president.
- 7 February - Clean energy talks
EU negotiators meet for another round of talks on the renewable energy directive update.
- 9 February - Special EUCO
A special European Council summit is on the cards for 9 and 10 February. Details here.
- 9 February - Buildings vote
Energy committee MEPs are due to vote on a compromise energy performance of buildings directive.
- 14 February - Trucks reform
The European Commission will propose a reform of heavy vehicle CO2 standards (TBC).
- 1 March - Look before you cross
The Commission will publish a new road safety package (TBC).
- 5 March - Estonia votes
Estonians will vote on the makeup of a new national parliament.
- 8 March - Critical materials
The European Commission will reportedly publish its anticipated Critical Raw Materials Act on 8 March (TBC).
- 10 March - Anglo-French summit
French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will meet for a France-UK summit on a number of political and policy issues.
- 14 March - Pill proposal
The Commission’s pharmaceutical strategy is due to be published.
- 16 March - Environment summit
An environment council is scheduled for 16 March. Details here.
- 23 March - EUCO I
The first regularly scheduled EUCO summit of the year kicks off on 23 March.
- 1 April - Greeks vote
Greece will hold its first national ballot under a new system in the spring, date to be confirmed.
- 2 April - Bulgaria votes (again)
Bulgarians will go to the polls for yet another election after political parties failed to put together a working government.
- 2 April - Finns vote
Finland organises its general election to vote for a new parliament.
- 1 May - Latvians vote
Latvia will vote in May for a new president.
- 13 May - Eurovision time
The Eurovision song contest final from Liverpool will be held.
- 14 May - Turkish elections
Turks will vote for a new parliament and president.
- 1 June - EPC meeting II
The European Political Community’s second-ever meeting will take place in Moldova on 1 June.
- 21 June - Space and defence
The Commission’s space and defence package, which will include an EU space strategy, is due to launch on 21 June (TBC).
- 1 July - Viva Espana
Sweden will hand over the reins of the EU presidency to Spain.
- 30 September - Slovakians vote
Slovakia’s general election will be held (TBC).
- 31 December - It's coming home
Spain will hand over the EU presidency to Belgium.
to our free newsletter to stay on top of key regulatory changes

Seated on a small horse, John the Fearless led his troops and ordered them to annihilate the ‘insane’ and ‘vicious’ Liège rebels...
While Belgium is synonymous with beer, the country has recently been making waves with some award-winning wines.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on Belgium’s beer and hospitality industry.
The competition is already heating up, with the five laying out their charms as if for a beauty contest.
Philippe spent most of his life lingering in the shadows of his older brother, who would later become King Leopold II.
"I love how Brussels, as a cosmopolitan city, naturally absorbs other cultures and makes eventually them its own."
Rail has been part of the Brussels transportation scene since the mid-1800s but it was only in the 1970s that the city unveiled its metro.
Mons is only Belgium’s 16th biggest station in terms of traveller numbers. It did not need such a gargantuan project so different to th...