From the horse’s mouth - Behind the scenes with one of the world’s great diplomats
The Two Matts
Podmasters
4.4 • 523 Ratings
🗓️ 8 April 2025
⏱️ 66 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The Matts are joined by João Vale De Almeida, whose 40 year career as a diplomat has seen him represent the EU in the United States, the United Nations and … thanks to Brexit … as history’s first ever EU ambassador to the UK. João’s new book - The Divorce of Nations - could not be more timely; an exhilarating ride through the political turmoil of this century so far. Why did America turn inwards economically? What drives Vladimir Putin? How and when could the UK ever hope to return to the European Union? And what is the future of the EU itself? All this and more in an engrossing conversation with a man who has seen it all … and still remains an optimist! Enjoy
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hi there, this is Matt Kelly, the editor-in-chief of the New European newspaper and one half of the |
| 0:05.9 | two mats podcast. Just before we get into the podcast, I want to run past you a proposal. I know that many |
| 0:12.4 | of you are listening to this podcast, you've heard about the New European, but you're not quite sure |
| 0:16.3 | whether you want to jump in and subscribe. Well, I'm going to make it very easy for you. |
| 0:26.6 | An offer now for limited time, one pound for your first month, just one pound, then five pounds a month after, if you like it, you can cancel any time. |
| 0:31.0 | You will be supporting great independent journalism and you'll be supporting this podcast. |
| 0:35.9 | So if you like the podcast, you'll love the |
| 0:38.1 | new European, go to the new European.com.com.com.com.com slash two mats. That's the number |
| 0:44.9 | two, M-A-T-T-S. That's the new European.com.com.com.com. This is the best offer you'll get |
| 0:53.4 | anywhere. So act now. It won't be there forever. |
| 0:59.0 | Acast recommends. Hi, my name's Paloma Faith and this is my new show. One, two, three, four. |
| 1:05.8 | I've been called Mad and bad my whole life. |
| 1:11.7 | I've also had some real moments of sad, |
| 1:13.7 | so I decided to make a podcast. |
| 1:16.1 | This series, I'll be speaking to my favourite actors, comedians, musicians and thinkers |
| 1:20.8 | to find out what makes them mad, sad and bad. |
| 1:25.3 | Out now. |
| 1:26.1 | This is like free therapy for you, wouldn't it? Sad and bad. Out now. This is like free therapy for you, wouldn't it? |
| 1:33.4 | ACAS is the home of podcasting, including such shows as |
| 1:37.2 | The Logbooks, the High Performance Podcast and the one you're listening to right now. |
| 1:53.0 | The... one you're listening to right now. Welcome, dear listeners, happy Tuesday to you all. |
| 1:56.5 | We are delighted to be joined by Zhao Valley Jalmida, live from Brussels. |
... |
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