EU member states have been briefed by the Commission on the UK paper and have made the following general observations acc to source briefed on the meeting
1/ Welcome that the UK has finally put forward a legal text
2/ NI alignment on agrifood AND industrial goods seen as a positive step by UK. However, some member states raised concerns that the Assembly was being given an “upfront unilateral veto”.
3/ Welcome too that UK acknowledges role of ECJ in overseeing application of EU regulatory alignment on goods and SPS in NI
4/ On the downside, member states concerned that UK proposals are not legally operable and do not meet the objectives of the backstop, ie the customs border undermines the all-island economy
5/ Also concerns that the UK is demanding wholesale derogations from EU customs law
6/ Ireland made a “strong” intervention acc to EU source, insisting that it’s position had not changed, ie that the criteria for measuring the UK text remained:
7/ it must deliver no hard border, related checks and controls, preserve NS cooperation and protect the all-island economy
8/ General consensus that the Commission and member states need to study the text carefully so no tunnel will be entered into yet.
