Johnson pushes "Brexit" new bill, controversy continues, the EU calls for "stop fast"

　　The British government proposed an "Internal Market Bill" in Parliament this month, which triggered opposition from many former British prime ministers.

The German Minister for European Affairs Michael Roth shouted to the British side on the 22nd: "Don't play tricks, time is running out."

　　【

　　Roth said before attending the European Union ministerial meeting in Brussels, Belgium that day: "Dear friends in London, please stop playing games, time is running out."

Data map: On January 29, local time, the European Parliament approved the "Brexit" agreement.

The picture shows the parliamentarians holding high the banner of "Forever Unity" after the voting.

China News Agency issued photos for EU

　　"We are extremely worried about the so-called'Internal Market Act' because it violates the guiding principles of the withdrawal agreement. We cannot accept it at all... We are really, really disappointed with the results of the current negotiations."

　　The British government announced the "Internal Market Act" on the 9th of this month.

The bill proposes that if its terms conflict with the terms of the "Brexit" agreement signed by the UK and Europe that involve trade between Ireland and the UK, the terms of the bill shall prevail.

Although opposed by many people including Conservative Party members, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is pushing the bill to pass in Parliament.

　　The European Union accused Britain of trying to use domestic law to override the international law of the "Brexit" agreement, and urged Johnson to withdraw the bill from the British Parliament before the end of this month, or action will be taken.

　　As the end of the month approaches, the two sides will intensify contacts in the next few days.

BBC Political News Editor Laura Kunsberg quoted EU sources on Twitter on the 22nd, saying that Michel Barnier, the chief representative of the EU’s “Brexit” negotiations, will visit the British capital London on the 23rd. "Brexit" issues and informal talks with the British side.

　　European Commission Vice-President Marosh Sevczovic said that he will meet with British Cabinet Secretary Michael Gove in Brussels on the 28th.

The two are co-chairs of the EU-UK Joint Commission.

[The deadline is approaching]

　　The "Brexit" transition period will end at the end of this year.

Johnson previously said that no matter whether the agreement on trade relations between Britain and Europe can be negotiated, October 15 is the deadline for negotiations.

EU officials said that their negotiation period is the end of October, because after the two parties reach an agreement, they still need time to legislate the content of the agreement.

　　The United Kingdom held a referendum in June 2016 to decide "Brexit" and officially withdrew from the European Union on January 31 this year.

The UK and EU have since then negotiated several rounds of future economic and trade relations.

At present, the two sides still have serious differences on a number of issues, including fishing rights, government assistance or subsidy policies, and establishing a fair competition mechanism for British and European companies.

The next round of negotiations is scheduled to be held on October 2.

If the negotiation fails, from January 1 next year, the trade relationship between Britain and Europe will be returned to the framework of the World Trade Organization.

　　In the context of the difficulty in advancing the negotiations, the Johnson administration threw out the "Internal Market Act" this month, which was criticized by many former British prime ministers.

Former Conservative Prime Minister John Major and former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair issued a joint open letter on the 13th, calling on the British government to abandon this "shocking" bill.

They wrote in the letter: "The government's actions have humiliated itself and embarrassed our country."

　　Johnson’s predecessor, Theresa May, criticized Johnson on the 21st for acting “recklessly and irresponsibly, not considering Britain’s long-term reputation in the world”.

(Guo Qian) (Xinhua News Agency Special Feature)