Deceptive calm reigns over EU-UK relations

Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon, after delivering a speech on "The European future of Scotland after Brexit", in Brussels, February 10, 2020. REUTERS / Yves Herman

Text by: RFI Follow

Ten days after the UK's exit from the European Union, future negotiators point to difficult talks. This is in particular what suggests the words of Michel Barnier after the visit to Brussels of the Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

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With our correspondent in Brussels, Pierre Benazet

“ Whatever the imperfections of the European Union, we are leaving it at a time when we benefit from it more than ever .” For Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the time has come to seriously think about the future relationship between Scotland and the European Union.

► Read also: Brexit: those English who want to migrate to Scotland

The ambition displayed in Brussels on Monday is that its government and the Scottish Parliament find ways to keep the laws and regulations in force in Scotland, aligned as much as possible with those of the European Union.

The aim is obviously to prepare the way for accession to the EU of an Scotland which has become independent , even if it means provoking regulatory tug-of-war with the rest of the United Kingdom.

European Union negotiator Michel Barnier reminded this Monday for the British Prime Minister that the European Union hopes to obtain solid guarantees for fair competition, but also that it is the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) which should have the last word in the interpretation of European law.

A way to reframe Boris Johnson, accused here of taking liberties with the political declaration which defines the negotiations to come, declarations which let augur that these negotiations will be much harder than those of Brexit .

It is on February 25 that the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the European Union must give the mandate of the 27 to Michel Barnier to negotiate on their behalf, which should pave the way for the opening of negotiations in early March.

► Read also: Brexit, season 2: still negotiations, still negotiations

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  • Brexit
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