“Difficult situation”: whether Brussels and London will be able to approve a new draft agreement on cooperation after Brexit

The European Commission has published a draft agreement on future relations with the UK. The document assumes, first of all, the cooperation of the parties in the field of economics. In particular, the creation of a free trade zone is envisaged.

“Each of the parties establishes the freedom of transit through its territory using the most suitable routes for transit traffic to the territory of the other side and from its territory, as well as to the territory of any third country or from its territory,” the project says.

It is clarified that Brussels and London cannot introduce customs duties on goods imported from the UK and the EU, respectively. A similar rule applies to exports.

In addition, the document refers to the establishment of "equal rules of the game." In this context, the rules of taxation, competition, protection of the rights of citizens and workers, as well as environmental protection are affected.

At the same time, the draft document also states that the European Union will receive the right to introduce interim measures in respect of the UK in case of violation of the partnership conditions.

In addition, Brussels also published an annex to the document, in which London is invited to cooperate in defense, security and foreign policy, in particular, in the application of sanctions. Thus, it is noted that the parties will act "in order to protect common values ​​and promote common strategic interests."

“If interests coincide, the parties strive to increase the coherence and effectiveness of their policies and decisions in the field of sanctions, including with regard to their application, with each of the parties continuing to make decisions on their own,” the document says.

It is also noted that “at the appropriate stages of the political cycle”, Brussels and London will seek to exchange data on the preparation and introduction of restrictive measures.

• European Commission Building
• Reuters
• © Francois Lenoir

In addition, the appendix also deals with the interaction of the parties in countering terrorism and ensuring digital security.

According to Michel Barnier, the chief negotiator of the European Commission, the parties can approve the agreement, as it relies on earlier agreements with London.

“The text (document. - RT ) demonstrates that an ambitious and comprehensive agreement on our future relations is possible if we rely on the EU’s mandate and political aspirations agreed with the United Kingdom five months ago,” said Barnier.

“A definite step forward”

According to analysts, the content of documents published by the EC indicates that Brussels continues to insist on a comprehensive agreement that would regulate the maximum number of areas. However, for the British side it would be preferable for such an agreement to be focused on the issue of creating a free trade zone, analysts emphasize.

Recall, on February 17, the representative of the British Prime Minister at the talks with the EU, David Frost, said that in the vision of the Prime Minister of the kingdom, freedom to deviate from the norms and rules of the European Union is a central aspect in building further relations with Brussels. At the same time, the representative of the head of the Cabinet noted that Britain left the EU to establish its own laws that would suit it.

The British side declared its unwillingness to be dependent on the EU in resolving, inter alia, foreign policy issues later. At the end of February, a document was published on the government’s website that reflects its approach to negotiations on Brexit with European colleagues.

“Decisions regarding many areas of politics, such as foreign or immigration policies, must be made by the UK government, moreover within the framework of a wider friendly dialogue and cooperation between the UK and the EU and not requiring the establishment of institutional relations,” the text of the document says.

It is also noted that the UK “will always keep under control its own laws, political life and existing norms”, and both parties will “respect the legal independence of each other”.

According to Kira Godovanyuk, senior researcher at the Center for British Studies at the Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, “the new agreement fits into the mandate that was approved by the European Commission.

“The document meets the expectations of Brussels. The EU has repeatedly said that they are counting on an agreement on a full-scale partnership with the United Kingdom. Trade issues will be only part of this agreement - it will be comprehensive and will regulate the maximum number of areas. This is precisely what London is opposed to, which, in turn, suggests controlling cooperation at the sectoral level and focusing only on the free trade zone first, ”the expert explained in a conversation with RT.

Natalya Yeryomina, a professor at the Department of European Studies at the Faculty of International Relations of St. Petersburg State University, in turn, believes that the decision of the European Union to publish a draft new agreement, despite the different positions of the parties, should still be evaluated positively.

“This is a definite step forward, building dialogue. Any projects allowing a compromise between London and Brussels are welcome. This is an indicator that the dialogue within the framework of Brexit is not stopped, ”the expert noted.

• British Prime Minister Boris Johnson
• © Frank Augstein / Pool via REUTERS

However, in her opinion, despite the willingness of the British side to create a free trade zone, "difficulties in this matter will still be present."

“Disagreements here may arise regarding the principles by which this zone will function,” the analyst explained.

As noted by Kira Godovanyuk, the United Kingdom would like to "resolve its own trade problems".

“London does not want to bind itself with EU standards and technical regulations of the union. The British would like to maintain maximum independence here. And for the EU it is very important to have a single market, common standards, fair competition, so they will insist on their own. This is the fundamental difference in positions, ”said the expert.

“Corners”

European Parliamentary Commissioner for Brexit David McAllister also welcomed the publication by the European Commission of the draft agreement, calling the new partnership between the EU and the UK ambitious. He wrote about this on his page on Twitter. At the same time, McAllister later advocated prolonging the transitional period of Brexitis in connection with the spread of coronavirus, Funke media group said.

According to the European official, the issue of extending the deadlines "in the current circumstances should again be very carefully studied in London."

“From the European side, we are ready to extend the transition phase to a maximum until the end of 2022,” McAllister said.

The deputy head of the European Parliament, Katarina Barley, made a similar proposal, stressing that negotiations are impossible in an epidemic situation.

“The threat of severe brexitis, accompanied by chaotic conditions and economic losses, is currently an unnecessary burden for both sides,” said Barley. “In this regard, the transition period should be extended in advance.”

However, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already rejected these initiatives. When asked by the journalist about whether he intends to prolong the transitional phase of Brexitis due to the spread of coronavirus infection, the Prime Minister said that the relevant laws do not allow this, and he is not going to repeal them.

Kira Godovanyuk notes that the pandemic "very much adjusts all the parties' plans for Brexit."

“The first meeting of the negotiating team took place, but the second meeting, which was scheduled for this week, has already been canceled due to the coronavirus. Nevertheless, by June the parties must come to some kind of agreement. This implies a UK exit calendar for the EU, ”said the expert.

• A man in a protective mask passes over Westminster Bridge, March 19, 2020
• Reuters
• © Hannah McKay

At the same time, she emphasized that, with her categorical refusal to extend the transitional phase of Brexit, Johnson "is driving himself into a corner."

“Brussels proposes a new draft treaty, and even published its text, this already puts the British Prime Minister in a rather difficult position. Indeed, now, if Johnson wants to save face, he needs to compromise with Brussels and agree to this option, since it will be extremely difficult to bargain in a pandemic. Indeed, in the opposite case, the head of the Cabinet of the Kingdom will have no choice but to ultimately request an extension of the transition period, ”the analyst concluded.