Xinhua News Agency, London, June 5th (International Observation) The issue of the "big boss" is left unnoticed, leaving little time for Britain and Europe to negotiate a compromise

　　Xinhua News Agency reporter Yu Jiaxin Gui Tao Li Jizhi

　　The fourth round of negotiations on the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union ended on the 5th. All parties failed to break the deadlock, and there was still no breakthrough in the negotiations in the "big boss" fields such as fair competition and fisheries.

　　More than half a year is left until the end of the "Brexit" transition period. The superposition of multiple factors has led to increased pressure to reach an agreement before the end of the year. It remains to be seen whether the UK and Europe can seek appropriate compromises and push for agreement.

Data map: On January 30 local time, the European Union formally approved Brexit, which is the last step in the internal process before the UK leaves the EU on January 31. According to reports, the UK will issue a newly minted 50 pence coin on January 31 to commemorate the UK's departure from the EU on January 31 local time.

Negotiation progress is limited

　　The fourth round of British-European negotiations was held in video format, covering the fields of trade in goods and services, law enforcement cooperation, and nuclear energy. Although both parties said the tone of the negotiations was positive, the actual results were limited. In addition to making certain progress in the area of ​​security cooperation, negotiations in important areas such as fair competition and fisheries have failed to achieve breakthroughs.

　　The European Union’s chief representative in charge of negotiations with the UK, Michelle Barnier, said on the 5th that the two sides still have very different positions on key issues such as fair competition and fisheries. David Frost, the UK’s chief negotiator, said in a statement issued after the talks that the two sides are at an important moment in the negotiations. To achieve the desired results, the pace of negotiation needs to be accelerated. Negotiators from both sides believe that the current results are already the "limit" that video negotiations can reach.

　　The United Kingdom officially “Brexit” on January 31, and then entered an 11-month transition period. During the transition period, the UK and the EU need to negotiate a bilateral relationship in the "post-Brexit era." The transition period can be extended at the request of the United Kingdom, but the United Kingdom must submit an extension request at the end of June this year.

　　It is reported that the leaders of the UK and the EU plan to hold a meeting this month to discuss how to break the deadlock. The fourth round of negotiations is the last time before the meeting. The failure to make progress on the core issues in this round of negotiations means that the pressure of the next high-level summit will increase, and the risk of Britain leaving the EU without a deal at the end of the year will increase.

　　Analysts pointed out that the fight against the new crown epidemic has become a top priority for the UK and EU member states. The UK-Europe negotiations are relegated to a low priority, and the negotiation timetable is very tight. It is difficult to complete the negotiations within the prescribed time limit.

Core differences

　　Both the UK and EU stated that the fields of fair competition and fishery are still difficult to negotiate. The serious differences existing in these two fields have always been the "big boss" of the negotiations, and the main reason why the first three rounds of negotiations could not make obvious progress.

　　In terms of fair competition, the EU requires the UK to commit to maintaining synergy with EU competition laws in environmental protection, labor policy, etc. for a period of time after the end of the transition period, so as to avoid the UK from "taking advantage of the EU". The United Kingdom believes that this requirement undermines sovereignty and allows the United Kingdom to continue to be constrained by EU laws and standards, affecting the meaning of "Brexit".

　　In the field of fisheries, the two sides are constantly arguing about how to allocate fishing rights across sea areas. The UK hopes to regain control of the fishery resources in its own waters, giving priority to British fishing vessels, and unwilling to grant EU countries long-term vessel access. Most EU member states want to maintain the status quo in terms of fishing vessel access and quotas.

　　Some analysts believe that it is still difficult to predict whether Britain and Europe will compromise on the issue of fishing rights. Once this leads to the UK's "no-deal Brexit", in theory, the UK can cut off the passage of EU ships into its waters, which can lead to new fishery disputes, which the EU is trying to avoid.

　　Analysts pointed out that issues such as fair competition and fisheries are related to the long-term interest structure of both parties and involve large-scale interest adjustments. The two sides will not easily make concessions, and it is no wonder that they will become "barriers" to negotiations.

The deadline forced compromise

　　The Financial Times said that although the fourth round of negotiations has not made substantial progress, there are signs that the two parties are willing to make some compromises in the future in order to reach an agreement within the stipulated time.

　　From the EU's perspective, Barnier expressed his willingness to be flexible with regard to the EU's request that Britain continue to comply with the EU's requirements on state subsidies. He also pointed out that the EU’s priority is to try to protect EU companies from unfair competition.

　　The British side also expressed its willingness to accept a less ambitious trade agreement, such as adjustments to tariffs on some "sensitive agricultural products" in exchange for the EU's concessions on fair competition requirements.

　　The British Prime Minister Johnson has repeatedly stressed that the "Brexit" transition period will not be extended, which means that there is not much time left for negotiations between the two sides. The European Union has previously stated that to sign the agreement by the end of the year, the two parties must ensure that an agreement is reached in October, while the United Kingdom hopes to conclude negotiations this summer.

　　Analysts pointed out that the two sides need to be flexible and pragmatic in future negotiations to promote substantial progress in the negotiations. Failure to reach an agreement during the transitional period will not only worsen the economic and trade between Britain and Europe hit by the epidemic, but will also have an impact on regional political and security relations.