Brexit: Boris Johnson ready for a "no deal", lack of an agreement by October 15
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on September 1, 2020 in London.
REUTERS / Toby Melville / Pool
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4 min
Brexit negotiations are entering their "final phase" and an agreement with the EU will have to be reached before October 15 to enter into force before the end of the year, warned British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as s 'opens the eighth meeting of talks in London this week.
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The head of the Conservative government, who repeats that the United Kingdom will not compromise on its independence, is increasing the pressure before the resumption of discussions on Tuesday, September 8.
"
We are now entering the final phase of our negotiations with the European Union,
" he must declare on Monday, according to his services in Downing Street.
“
The European Union has been very clear about the timing.
Me too.
There must be an agreement with our European friends by the European Council on October 15 so that it enters into force by the end of the year
”, at the end of the transition period after Brexit, emphasizes Boris Johnson.
Negotiations blocked on fisheries
“
It does not make sense to think of deadlines that would go beyond
, said the Prime Minister.
If we can't agree by then, I don't see a free trade agreement between us
”.
The UK formally left the European Union on January 31, almost four years after a historic referendum marking the end of almost 50 years of EU membership.
But the country remains ruled by European regulations until the end of the year, as the two sides attempt to strike a free trade deal.
The negotiations come up against in
particular fishing
and the conditions of fair competition.
“
An agreement can always be found.
[…] We will continue to work hard in September to achieve it,
”continues Boris Johnson.
►Also read: Carrefour de l'Europe - Brexit, the interminable puzzle
"
Even at this late stage, if the EU is ready to rethink its position, […] I would be delighted,
" concluded the Conservative leader, warning that the United Kingdom will not compromise "
on the fundamentals of this what an independent country
”.
In the absence of an agreement before December 31, the only rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), with their high customs duties and extensive customs controls, would apply.
Enough to further weaken economies already hit hard by the pandemic.
Not "
a vassal state
"
On Saturday,
British negotiator David Frost
warned in an interview that the United Kingdom would not become “
a vassal state
” of the European Union regardless of the post-Brexit trade agreement reached with the 27. “
We do not” are not going to accept clauses that would give them control over our currency, or our way of organizing things here in the UK, and that should not be controversial,
”he insisted.
His European counterpart Michel Barnier, for his part, warned on Wednesday that "
there will be no trade agreement [...] without a lasting and balanced agreement on fisheries
".
However, "
the United Kingdom has shown no willingness to seek compromise
" and uses this subject as "
bargaining chip
" in the negotiations, according to him.
And Michel Barnier to insist: the trade agreement must be found by the end of October to allow European ratification on time.
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United Kingdom
Brexit
Boris Johnson
European Union
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