UK: The 'perfect storm' haunting Boris Johnson
The "premier" Boris Johnson has threatened to annul parts of the agreement to exit the EU, referring to Northern Ireland, and has provoked the suspicion of Brussels in the prelude to the negotiations of the future trade agreement that start on Tuesday in London.
As anticipated by the
Financial Times
, Johnson intends to present in Parliament an "internal market law" that is in sharp contrast to the protocol for Northern Ireland contained in the Brexit agreement.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, reminded the British Government of its obligations "under international law" and assured that what is at stake is "peace and stability" in Ireland.
"Everything that has been signed must be respected," warned the EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier, who recalled the "political compromise" sealed by Johnson.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ireland, Simon Coveney, also intervened in the controversy, describing as
"very foolish" any change introduced at this point by London.
Johnson's maneuver has in any case been welcomed in Brussels with relative caution, considering that it is part of its negotiating strategy.
The Northern Ireland protocol, contained in the EU exit agreement, provides for the possibility of internal customs in the United Kingdom to prevent precisely the return to the hard border and the customs infrastructure on land between the two Ireland.
The law Johnson is now planning would in principle remove control of goods between Britain and Northern Ireland, which Brussels says could seriously compromise the "integrity of the single market."
Johnson's latest steps have in any case reactivated fears of a "brave" break with the EU when the Brexit transition period ends on December 31.
The "premier" has issued an ultimatum to Brussels to reach an agreement on the future trade agreement before October 15.
Otherwise, London would opt for an "Australian" solution, with its back to the 27 and under the auspices of the World Trade Organization.
The latest steps by the Johnson administration - including the controversial appointment of former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott as trade adviser - are moving in that direction.
In an interview in
The Mail on Sunday
, Brexit chief negotiator David Frost accused the EU of "not taking the UK seriously" in the past and reiterated the threat of a trade "no deal".
The Labor Party has meanwhile accused Johnson of "playing a dangerous game again" with the EU.
Labor spokesperson in Northern Ireland, Louise Haigh, accused the "premier" of "incompetence" for his intention to give up parts of the Brexit deal.
"We cannot deny our legal obligations," he stressed.
"It would be an act of bad faith that would send a very unfavorable message to our future partners and allies."
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