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James Crisp
@JamesCrisp6
, 11 tweets, 2 min read Read on Twitter
Earlier today, I asked the European Commission why it was refusing to renegotiate the Withdrawal Agreement, given there is a new government and the alternative seems to be a no deal Brexit.
1/
Spokeswoman said:
"President Juncker told Prime Minister Johnson on the 25 July that we are available should the United Kingdom wish to hold talks and clarify its position in more detail...
2/
"We are ready to analyse any concrete proposals that are compatible with the Withdrawal Agreement, we are also ready to re-work the future relationship as outlined in the political declaration"
3/
Here's the video

4/
This chimes with the Phil Hogan readout given yesterday after the agriculture commissioner spoke to Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay.

5/
Some very nerdy Brussels-watchers were wondering if this new-ish line represented a shift in EU thinking because the line repeated endlessly for weeks has been -

Withdrawal Agreement is not up for renegotiation and will not be reopened. It is "best" agreement possible

6/
[Even though the Withdrawal Agreement has been rejected three times by House of Commons, cost a PM her job etc.. do they really want another vote on it... but I digress. ]

7/
I understand that this new line, a challenge of UK to bring forward proposals, is simply a tweak in messaging designed to push back at UK accusations that the EU was refusing to negotiate...

8/
It is NOT an invitation to come up with concrete proposals that would change the withdrawal agreement.
9/
The EU is happy to negotiate. Just not on the contents of the Withdrawal Agreement . It is v happy to talk about any assurances that could be given on the backstop or on redrafting the political declaration.
ENDS
Quick recap. The Telegraph understands that the commission has not relaxed its red lines over the Withdrawal Agreement and simply wants Britain to come forward with proposals for what assurances over the backstop could be given and how the political declaration could be reworked.
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More from @JamesCrisp6 see all

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James Crisp
@JamesCrisp6
EU diplomat on Boris letter to Tusk.

"3 years on & still this letter fails to put forward any realistic alternatives for the backstop. Hope and imagination don’t keep the border away. This letter is not request to renegotiate, it’s a clear cut attempt to avoid it all cost.
1/
"If the British government was serious it would just ask the EU to trust them. Because if they did, the EU would have to look at it; this is not a moment for thin skinned action."
2
EU dip: "The British would put forward proposals of their own to avoid the border per the wish of  majority of the people in Northern Ireland.

In diplomacy there’s no space for hubris or pride but good intentions will not keep the border away. It doesn’t work like that"

3
Ends
Read 3 tweets
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James Crisp
@JamesCrisp6
Ireland's former ambassador to EU @BobbyMcDonagh1 reacts to Boris Johnson letter to Tusk

"The tone is in some respects an improvement but there is essentially nothing new on substance

1/
"It essentially rejects EU’s consistent position on Good Friday Agreement and the compromise it painstakingly negotiated with UK

The EU takes an entirely different view including on delicate balances of GFA and on democratic nature of backstop

2
"The letter doesn’t suggest any room for compromise  on a point of fundamental principle so I expect the EU response will be quite straightforward"
3

Ends
Read 3 tweets
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James Crisp
@JamesCrisp6
I can reveal that this cookbook, which sadly does not involve Jean-Claude Juncker's favourite Luxembourgish delicacy, cost 3,300 euros and it has been downloaded 647 times.
That's 5 euro cost to the EU taxpayer per download!

1/
UK budget share in 2018 was 11.88 % meaning UK paid 60 cents per download! or about 388 euros.

Which is now worth more or less 388 POUNDS.

2/
The commission says that the cookbook is "full of tasty European and African dishes features some of the great recipes and cultural heritage of our two continents, including the British delight Beef Wellington"

3
Read 10 tweets

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