China News Agency, Brussels, October 19 (Reporter De Yongjian) The EU-UK Joint Commission held its fourth meeting on the EU-UK future relations negotiations on the 19th. After the meeting, the EU informed that the two sides agreed to substantially increase the intensity of the negotiations, hoping that in December this year On the 31st, an agreement was reached at the end of the "Brexit" transition period in the United Kingdom to avoid a "no-deal Brexit".

　　According to a statement issued by the European Commission, on that day, the Vice-President of the European Commission Sevcovic and Gove, the Secretary of the British Cabinet Office, co-chaired the meeting.

Since there are only more than two months left on December 31st, Sevczovic emphasized at the meeting that the two sides need to make every effort to bridge their differences and reach a consensus, and promote the full implementation of the "Brexit" agreement from January 1, 2021, that is to avoid the United Kingdom at that time "No deal Brexit".

　　The statement stated that the realization of this goal must "beyond the norm." For this reason, the two sides agreed to "significantly increase contacts at all levels," including the re-convening of the EU-UK joint committee meeting in mid-November.

　　The statement specifically mentioned the Northern Ireland issue that caused serious concern to the EU.

In September this year, the British government announced the "Internal Market Act", stating that if the Northern Ireland clauses in it contradict the "Brexit" agreement reached by Europe and Britain in October last year, the British government will follow the bill's clauses, and the EU immediately criticized this clause. Will override the "Brexit" agreement. This move by the United Kingdom seriously undermines international law and mutual trust between Europe and Britain.

　　This statement calls on the UK to abide by the "Brexit" agreement on Northern Ireland issues, to ensure that Northern Ireland stays in the EU single market after the formal "Brexit" on December 31 this year and to comply with relevant EU regulations. "The agreement will make practical arrangements as soon as possible on the EU's offices in Northern Ireland, the entry of products into the EU market through Northern Ireland, and Northern Ireland's implementation of the EU's "Prohibition of State Aid" clauses.

　　Affected by the Northern Ireland issue, the EU-UK negotiations on the future relationship with economic and trade issues as the core have been deadlocked since September, making the market increasingly worried about the UK’s “no-deal Brexit” on January 1 next year.

If this is the case, EU-UK trade will return to the WTO framework and re-implement border inspections and tariffs, resulting in increased trade costs.

(Finish)