"Keep calm and negociate."
This is the slogan to which the United Kingdom and the European Union must submit as the last round of Brexit negotiations opens on Tuesday, September 8.
Because the tension is rising again between London and Brussels to agree on the terms of the divorce.
As the end of the transition period approaches, during which European rules apply on British soil, the negotiations remain at an impasse.
But time is running out.
The two parties must find a solution before the end of last October, so that the agreement has time to be ratified, as agreed, by the end of the year.
What are the sticking points?
France 24 takes stock.
Brexit: negotiations deadlocked, London demands an agreement before October 15
Fish and ships
The negotiations stumble first on fishing.
The British intend to regain control of their territorial waters, currently shared with their European neighbors.
But on the European side, we do not want to review the current distribution.
Only eight Member States - including France - are concerned by this subject, but, to date, the 27 have remained united.
It must be said that the fishing sector is a major issue for the United Kingdom, which has a large maritime area.
The subject was also at the heart of the Brexit campaign.
In 2017, he was the third biggest fisherman in the EU behind Denmark and Spain and ahead of France and fears losing his supremacy in the field.
Fair competition
Discussions are also skidding on fair competition conditions.
Brussels demands that future competition with the EU remains open and fair, in particular on social, environmental, fiscal, public aid and consumer protection issues.
If the British wish to benefit from privileged agreements on the European internal market - zero quotas, zero customs duties - the Member States are demanding guarantees from London on Community standards, in particular as regards State aid.
"On fishing, the British will eventually move. On the conditions of competition, it is something else," says a senior official.
The Irish border puzzle
Last point of tension, the question of the northern Irish border.
In fact, a protocol has been established not to re-establish a physical border with Northern Ireland while retaining British customs duties.
But on the eve of the resumption of negotiations, the thorny issue is back.
The Financial Times revealed that the UK government plans to introduce legislation on Wednesday revising parts of the deal.
Boris Johnson wants to emphasize on Tuesday the importance of not leaving Northern Ireland isolated from the rest of the United Kingdom, says the Telegraph in its Tuesday edition.
But the Europeans have already reacted strongly, calling London to order on its commitments.
“Everything that has been signed in the past must be respected,” insisted the European negotiator, Michel Barnier.
To understand the Irish dilemma, we have to go back to the peace agreement signed in 1998. After several decades of deadly clashes, the border, which existed between Northern Ireland, which remained British, and the Republic of Ireland, has been abolished.
Today, the British are using the deal to reject the idea of customs between the two sides, arguing that the situation could descend into chaos again.
The European Union says that we cannot be in and outside of Europe.
The 27 therefore plead in favor of a return of a tax for Irish customs products.
"The UK can prosper even without a deal"
Bravado, Boris Johnson also said in a statement Monday that "the UK can prosper even without a deal."
One way to be victorious whatever the outcome of the negotiations.
Very criticized in his management of the Covid-19 health crisis, the British Prime Minister needs to restore his image.
Despite everything, the British did not give up on the idea of reaching a compromise.
"I look forward to the face-to-face negotiations this week where, I hope, progress can be made," said their chief negotiator, David Frost.
In the absence of an agreement, the only rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), with their high tariffs and extensive customs controls, would apply, causing additional costs for businesses and risking disruption of certain supplies.
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