Some thoughts on the Barnier presser:
1/
1/
Atmospherics not at all positive: much pushing back on UK charges of punishment or discourtesy and frequent reminders that UK is dragging feet on things it asked for
2/
2/
Substantively, nothing's really happened, which is the problem
3/
3/
Main narrative is about interconnection of elements w/in Art.50. Take it as another version of 'no cherry-picking': can't have transition w/o resolution of Phase 1
4/
4/
Notably that contingency planning coming through as a theme, esp on Irish border. No-deal wasn't mentioned directly, but (lack of) time is firmly back on agenda
5/
5/
As I noted in thread yesterday () there's very little scope for a repeat of last yr's delay on 'sufficient progress'
6/
6/
If UK is using that last opportunity now to delay progress, then it loses that option further down line, when more substantial concessions might have to be signed off
7/
7/
tl;dr Another dip in the Art.50 process.
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