New observation of failure around Brexit. At the end of a negotiating session on post-Brexit relations, British and European Union negotiators parted ways on Thursday July 23 over the same disagreements. Discussions are due to continue next week, before a new round of negotiations starting August 17.
After three days of discussions in London, the European negotiator Michel Barnier judged Thursday "unlikely" in the state to find an agreement, during a press conference. "Little progress" has been made on a level playing field and on fisheries. Before allowing London access to the European market without customs duties or quotas, the 27 absolutely want to avoid the emergence of an unfair competitor at their doors. For its part, the United Kingdom wants to regain control of its fish-bearing waters and limit access to Union fishermen.
"Simply unacceptable"
"By its current refusal to commit to the conditions of fair competition and a balanced agreement on fisheries, the United Kingdom makes a trade agreement at this stage unlikely," said Michel Barnier. "The United Kingdom is seeking an almost total exclusion [of European fishing vessels from British waters]", he noted, "this is simply unacceptable".
Since the UK left the EU on January 31, after forty-seven years of a rocky marriage [started in 1973], the two sides have started intense discussions to define the framework for their new relationship and forge a free trade agreement at the end of the transition period, which will end on December 31.
David Frost, the British Prime Minister's adviser for Europe, for his part deplored that no agreement can be found before the end of July as Boris Johnson, ardent promoter of Brexit, had hoped. The head of the Conservative government considered it unnecessary to continue discussions until the fall.
"I want to reaffirm the EU's desire 🇪🇺 to establish an ambitious & fair partnership [with the UK].
I continue to believe that Prime Minister @BorisJohnson & the UK government 🇬🇧 want it too.
Our work continue "- @MichelBarnier https://t.co/yUvLverx9w
"Considerable differences"
“Unfortunately, it is clear that we will not conclude in July 'the preliminary agreement on the principles underlying an agreement' that we had set as a target [in the discussions],” said David Frost in a statement. "Considerable differences remain in the most difficult areas, namely a level playing field and [on] fisheries," the British negotiator confirmed.
Nevertheless, "despite the difficulties, the progress is real", argued a senior British official. "When the process ceases to be of use and there is no way to reach an agreement, there is no point in discussing any more. We are not there," said this source close to the negotiations.
Hope for a deal in September
"There was never any question from David Frost or mine to abandon the negotiations. Far from it", added Michel Barnier.
"Despite all the difficulties, based on the work we did in July, I believe that an agreement can still be found in September," said David Frost.
In the absence of an agreement before December 31, the British and Europeans would leave each other by applying in their trade the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and their high customs duties from January 1.
Last week, London unveiled details of its first post-Brexit border management proposals, insisting that they would be implemented regardless of a deal being reached with Brussels. The project foresees a gradual application of the law at the borders during the first six months of 2021.
With AFP and Reuters
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