Is the draft EU #mandate that different to the final mandate for negotiations with the UK? Answer: not really but there are some interesting nuggets. Thread:
1. Application of WA as important as future UK-EU negotiations: ROI - UK must work well (BIG job for joint committee). Mandate does not mention GB-NI checks but member states will be watching. 
2. Process: there will be parallel negotiations (you can imagine goods, security & fish all taking place at the same time). EU negotiators will work closely with the Working Party on UK (that's where EU27 diplomats meet inside the Council). They will also update EU Parliament
3. Level playing-field now and forever: doesn't say UK & EU must have *same* standards but "corresponding high standards" using EU standards as benchmarks. This is cos member states are worried about "gradual divergence" - so not immediate divergence but over time.
3bis Level playing-field: They've listed specific policy areas LPF provisions should apply to (state aid, environment, cliamte change, etc); but that list could be extended.
4. ECHR & health: EU really care about UK's commitment to ECHR & health and safety standards - both in terms of the produce itself and production methods. Also encourage cooperation on global pandemics (looking at you Corona virus).
5. Data: EU open to exploring alternative ways of sharing info - but need to be simplified, efficient and effective. Data adequacy rules are a condition for strong law-enforcement & judicial cooperation in criminal matters.
6. Elgin marbles: don't need to be returned but UK & EU should definitely have a conversation about them.
7. Financial equivalence: has its own dedicated para. These are *unilateral* measures - but consultation with UK is important. On #nuclear cooperation, EU encourages close R&D, exchange of info and scheme for skilled workers (they are, after all, highly specialised jobs)
8. No (real) bespoke aviation cooperation: UK & EU should seek a comprehensive agreement but "consider arrangements typically included in EU bilateral aviation agreements".
9. Rail transport: it's not just the Chanel Tunnel that requires specific attention; so does the Belfast-Dublin Entreprise line! And there is a new section on Maritime transport.
10. Fish: More hardline - a lot more hardine. All about upholding (rather than defining) reciprocal access to waters, upholding quotas, etc. Fun times ahead.
11. Space: MS definitely not ready to offer UK a bespoke access Galileo at this stage. In fact, the Commission's paragraph on how this bespoke access cd work has been dropped completely.
12. COP26 klaxon: EU believe EU & UK should work closely on maintaining Europe's (and not the EU's) leadership in combating climate change. Which is handy given UK is hosting climate summit later this year.
13. Dispute-settlement: Guillotine clause? Failure to comply with a dispute ruling could lead to suspension of agreement (or parts of the agreement) *as well as supplementing agreements*. So a failure in one part, cd affect other parts of cooperation. END.
*for sake of clarity: Looking at wording, I don't think Greece or EU see future UK-EU partnership as opportunity to demand Elgin Marbles (or the return of any cultural artifacts). But they would like a general conversation about cultural artifacts going fwd.
More on this here: theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
