A little more than three months before the end of the Brexit negotiations, London published a bill which rekindles the tensions between with Brussels.
Boris Johnson's government wants to reverse the divorce contract, and assumes a violation of international law.
But in this war of nerves, the European Union intends to hold out until the end.
London and Brussels are on the verge of breaking up.
More than seven months after the historic exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union, tension is rising between the two parties, supposed to agree before the end of the year on the terms of their cooperation, commercial or security.
But on Wednesday, Boris Johnson's government released a bill that confirms what was announced earlier this week: London assumes to violate international law by not respecting the divorce agreement signed last year.
London wants to change the contract at the last minute
Alterations in the contract which concern in particular the customs provisions in Northern Ireland, a central point to facilitate trade within the United Kingdom after the end of the post-Brexit transition period.
The Northern Irish Protocol aims to ensure the absence of a physical border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, a member of the EU, and to avoid the resurgence of tensions in this region, bloodied by three decades of " unrest "until the signing of the Good Friday Peace Agreement in 1998.
A "violation" of international law
But by challenging an international treaty, this text "violates international law in a very specific and limited way", by the admission of the Minister responsible for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis.
For the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, such a violation "would undermine trust" between the two partners.
The latter said in a tweet "very concerned" by the British announcements, emphasizing the Latin phrase in support that respect for conventions represents "the basis of future prosperous relations".
At the same time, the European Union is therefore asking for a meeting of the joint committee as quickly as possible, the first step in the event of a conflict.
Very concerned about announcements from the British government on its intentions to breach the Withdrawal Agreement.
This would break international law and undermines trust.
Pacta sunt servanda = the foundation of prosperous future relations.
- Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 9, 2020
The threat of a "no deal" looms
As in a real divorce, if one of the parties does not follow the rules, the other can file a complaint during the procedure.
But before getting there, it is therefore first planned a face to face.
Brussels wants to get things right.
Proof of this is the Union negotiator, Michel Barnier, officially continues to work in London and should not slam the door.
Because on the side of the 27, we want to avoid a theatrical gesture that would allow the British to blame the Europeans in the event of failure.
Still, time is running out, Brussels wanting an agreement by the end of October to allow ratification on time.
Boris Johnson warned for his part that for lack of compromise by the European summit on October 15, he would be satisfied with a "no deal", an exit without agreement.
An exit that the European Union seeks to avoid at all costs.