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All-island food standards zone frequently talked about in Brussels these days BUT EU believes zone wld only cover approx 30% of cross border trade .. No clarity on what could be bilaterally (EU-UK!) acceptable for remaining 70% when it comes to Alternative Arrangements /1
Never mind how to lock-down safeguarding north south cooperation. Real tension felt between EU insisting on the open border outlined in Withdrawal Agreement signed by Theresa May and what EU views as Johnson’s aim of a “frictionless as possible” border /3
Especially after last night, would love to be fly on wall today at meetings between the PM’s EU envoy David Frost and European Commission negotiators here in Brussels.. /4
Lots of European headscratching as to where last night’s events could lead. Only EU certainty is leaders won’t negotiate directly with PM at summit mid October. As they said to PM May: negotiations are with EU Commission not individual leaders (= attempt to preserve EU unity) /5
