NEW Brexit slide: This is how the EU wants to structure the EU-UK post-Brexit deal: two bases (economic, security), one governance arrangement, one level-playing field.
We could call it the house at the end of the Barnier staircase.
We could call it the house at the end of the Barnier staircase.
2. Slide was shown to EU27 diplomats on Friday PM, their wrap-up seminar after Brexit teach-in by Michel Barnier's team.
The slides repeat the EU's now well-known principles…. EU27 unity/ no non member can have the same benefits as a member etc.
The slides repeat the EU's now well-known principles…. EU27 unity/ no non member can have the same benefits as a member etc.
3....and all negotiations through Michel Barnier i.e. not via member states.
There has been a fair amount of turnover in EU diplomatic Brexit circles and these seminars have been about keeping the 27 together ahead of the next phase.
There has been a fair amount of turnover in EU diplomatic Brexit circles and these seminars have been about keeping the 27 together ahead of the next phase.
4. Newish principle (or more pronounced) for phase two: “avoid upsetting the balance of existing models of cooperation” .
Means, e.g. EU doesn’t want UK-EU fish deal to destabilise Norway fish deal. Likewise UK can't have more on JHA than Denmark (with its opt-outs).
Means, e.g. EU doesn’t want UK-EU fish deal to destabilise Norway fish deal. Likewise UK can't have more on JHA than Denmark (with its opt-outs).
5. One big theme (no surprise) is level-playing field. No country has zero tariffs, zero quota FTA with EU. Not even Canada (tho few tariffs). EU side thinks it’s a big offer and needs a big response. Of course v much in EU interest b/c trade surplus in goods.
6. What does level playing field mean? Slides say “preserving common high standards and rules with the UK”. Not clear if this means UK gov follows exact EU rules, or can uphold identical standards through domestic law. This question appears to be open after seminars.
7. Slides make clear there must be a way to enforce level playing field: independent regulators in the UK and system of fines for non compliance, including interim measures to allow for fast response.
8. EU member states showed “general support” for the Commission plan to link FTA to future fishing quotas deal, according to slides.
Also there will be “specific enforcement" on fisheries, presumably fines for persistent over-fishing, breaking terms of deal.
Also there will be “specific enforcement" on fisheries, presumably fines for persistent over-fishing, breaking terms of deal.
9. What about security? EC says it wants “high degree” of ambition, but confirms UK will not be in the EU’s Schengen Information System database, with its 64m data points, used by British police daily.
10. Some parts of the future relationship are not open for negotiation. The EU will decide whether it wants to recognise UK financial firms (equivalence) and UK data standards (adequacy agreement).
11. There is a lot more I haven’t covered. Expect slides published later. Big point for me is consistency of EU thinking on Brexit (obviously cannot predict if holds together in neg). But no one who has been paying attention should be surprised by any of these points.
