Will there be a Brexit breakthrough this week? "This is a crucial week, because the UK is aiming for a breakthrough," a senior EU official says. "We'll see."
Brussels very uncertain about outcome of the cabinet Brexit negotiations.
Brussels very uncertain about outcome of the cabinet Brexit negotiations.
For the EU, hard to judge if there will be breakthrough, b/c although the UK clearly wants progress, not clear if there is enough time to nail everything down needed for November summit.
A November summit *is* still possible, senior EU official tells me. But time very tight.
1. EU needs internal preparations
2. EU27 need time (for some) in national parliaments to digest political declaration.
1. EU needs internal preparations
2. EU27 need time (for some) in national parliaments to digest political declaration.
Michel Barnier team considering all-UK customs union plan, but two big problems
1. How to guarantee level playing field - fair competition for EU27
2. Fisheries quotas - EU tied fish to tariff-free access to UK. All-UK customs union is fast-tracking that discussion.
1. How to guarantee level playing field - fair competition for EU27
2. Fisheries quotas - EU tied fish to tariff-free access to UK. All-UK customs union is fast-tracking that discussion.
And new Brexit metaphor alert....
What happens to EU's original backstop - does it become the little matryoshka doll inside bigger one ?
Unclear, but EU is definitely not backing down on a permanent backstop.
Now over to London (again)
What happens to EU's original backstop - does it become the little matryoshka doll inside bigger one ?
Unclear, but EU is definitely not backing down on a permanent backstop.
Now over to London (again)
