Re cal’ today between PM and EU Chief negotiator Michel Barnier, a
Downing Street spokesperson said:
« The Prime Minister outlined our clear commitment to trying to reach an agreement, underlining that a deal was better for both sides. » /1
But « He also underlined the UK was prepared to end the transition period on Australia-style terms if an agreement could not be found. » ie no trade deal /2
« Although some progress had been made in recent discussions, they acknowledged that significant areas of difference remain, particularly on fisheries. Chief Negotiators should continue to work intensively in the coming days to try to bridge the gaps. » /3
“The Prime Minister reiterated that any deal must reflect what the British people voted for and that businesses and citizens needed certainty very soon on the terms of our future relationship. They agreed to remain in touch on this issue.” /4
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While UK side keeps *banging on* about fish fish fish .. the Brussels end of post #Brexit trade negotiations now *harps on* (AND ON) about governance ie need for a robust dispute mechanism with teeth allowing for swift legal action (including suspending chunks of whole deal) /1
EU keener on this than ever in a deal with UK following the government threat to override parts of the Withdrawal Agreement with its internal market bill. EU leaders say they need to justify an eventual deal to their voters. Proof haven’t sold out French/Dutch/German interests /2
In a deal with UK and that if UK businesses suddenly get an unfair competitive advantage bc spending less on environmental regulations or receiving more in state aid, then EU wants to be able to take speedy action via dispute mechanism. /3
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier heads to Berlin tomorrow morning for a meeting with Angela Merkel. No trip scheduled to France the following day. Possibly to London later in the week, I’m told /1
It would seem neither the wildly positive sounding rumours out of the U.K. last week on agreed solutions being found to state aid, nor the doom and gloomsters saying nothing is going nowhere fast(!) on tough issues in talks following the PM-VdL phone call this week are correct /2
The fact the two leaders didn’t issue a joint statement trumpeting the details of compromise solutions already being worked on doesn’t mean they can’t or won’t happen. Fact that PM and VdL will be in regular contact now is significant. Lots more to-ing and fro-ing predicted /3
Complicating matters when it comes to the EU and U.K. ‘positions’ in the final stretch of negotiations .. There are different voices around the PM - some more keen to do a deal with EU, others who say: /1
“Since U.K. leaving the EU single market and customs union anyway, what’s the point of a deal that requires us to tie our hands to agreed rules with the EU? Better to cut lose completely and have full sovereignty”.. /2
EU also not a clear cut case now we’re at the hard compromise-making stage. Some member states open to being more flexible, others, eg France, don’t so much. What I mean by flexible is not the fabled German carmakers. .. /3
European Commission President says her video conference with PM tomorrow is to take stock of negotiations and look ahead to the what next. She will then inform EU leaders of the outcome of the conversation with Boris Johnson. She mentioned need to intensify negotiations. /1
but rejected word 'tunnel' to describe how negotiations should proceed. President von der Leyen repeated well-known EU position "We want a deal. Better to have a deal as neighbours. Also in times of covid - with its devastating economic consequences but not at any price." /2
As to whether she felt optimistic that a deal would be done, President VdL said "Where there is a will there is a way. We have made progress in many fields" but added that most difficult aspects: fishing and level playing field esp state aid - are still "wide open" she said /3
BREAKING: PM spokesperson says Boris Johnson will speak to European Commission President tomorrow to discuss state of EU-UK trade and security talks. QUESTION: Will they announce enough progress being made that negotiating teams can now enter a media black-out tunnel? /1
Today the two chief negotiators David Frost (UK) and Michel Barnier (EU) meet after this week’s negotiating round. There have been rumours of progress on key sticking points coming out of UK. Not confirmed EU side so far /2
Unusual that there is no Barnier press conference today. There normally is after negotiating rounds. Could be bc there is an EU leaders summit going on separately in Brussels (discussing Turkey, Belarus and more) and EU wants to avoid press conference clashes OR /3
European Commission Président says sent letter of formal notice to UK government - the first step in infringement proceedings. This, because has not removed party’s of internal market bill that could override aspects of #Brexit Withdrawal agreement /1
Commission will give government one month to respond it says. Meantime the Commission ‘stands by its commitments’ (this is a jab at Boris Johnson) and ‘will continue working hard to ensure timely implementation of withdrawal agreement’ says president von der Leyen /2
By giving the government one month, the EU hopes this will give time for both sides to progress towards a) an EU-UK trade deal, which could allay fears of U.K. gov about aspects of the Irish Protocol in Withdrawal Agreement and b) ../3