Brexit: between London and the European Union, negotiations are slipping

European negotiator Michel Barnier, February 10, 2019. AFP

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Michel Barnier, negotiator from Brussels, will be in London from Monday 6 July until Friday 10 for a new session of negotiations on Brexit with his British counterpart, David Frost. Last week, the two men had left on a statement of failure.

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The Brexit deadline is fast approaching. As the UK leaves the European Union (EU) at the end of the year, many sticking points remain in the talks between the EU and the UK. If there is at least one point on which European and British negotiators agree on post-Brexit relations , it is their deep disagreement.

There are "  serious differences  " according to the British David Frost, while his European counterpart speaks of "  significant differences  ". The two main blocking points are known. On fishing in particular, the negotiations were unsuccessful. 60% of the fish caught in British waters are caught by boats from other European countries which want to continue to have access to these resources.

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For their part, the British, who depend on the European market, want to save this sector where they sell three-quarters of their fish exports. Brussels therefore advocates the status quo but London makes it a question of national sovereignty and wants to impose annual redefinitions of fishing rights.

The logic is the same for the other big stumbling block: the conditions of fair competition. In exchange for unrestricted access to the European market, the European Union requires compliance by London with its social and environmental standards or with the rules in force in terms of State aid. But here again, the United Kingdom does not want to commit to it, in the name of its regained freedom.

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  • Brexit
  • European Union
  • United Kingdom

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