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British Prime Minister Johnson has announced a statement for the morning. Apparently, member states should prepare for a meeting on December 24. More recently, the talks had reached a dead end, especially on the subject of fishing.
A week before the end of the Brexit transition phase, negotiators from the European Union and Britain put the final touches on a comprehensive trade deal on Thursday. The pact aims to avoid fees and keep friction losses in the hundreds of billions of euros in economic ratios as low as possible. It is also intended to ensure access to British waters for EU fishermen and to clear up many everyday problems.
Despite broad agreement on key points on Wednesday, the latest negotiations dragged on to the end. Even on Thursday morning, the final details were unclear, as said from negotiating circles in Brussels. However, a deal was still expected on Christmas Eve.
Johnson press conference
The BBC reported that a press conference was planned for the morning. Prior to this, Prime Minister Boris Johnson phoned the head of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, according to the Reuters news agency. There has not yet been an official confirmation. An EU representative said there was still a “dispute over numbers” regarding fishing rights. He spoke of a “bad sign.”
Commission spokesman Eric Mamer wrote on Twitter early Thursday morning that the work would continue through the night. Johnson briefed his key ministers on the current status that evening, the Palestinian Authority agency reported.
The comprehensive trade agreement is designed to avoid a severe economic breakdown at the last minute. The transitional phase of Brexit will end on December 31 and Britain will leave the EU internal market and customs union. Without an agreement, there is the risk of tariffs and trade barriers.
The 2000 page agreement with many special regulations and technical appendices now must be carefully scrutinized in the European Parliament. A provisional application is correct, said German FDP politician Alexander Graf Lambsdorff. As the time for ratification by the EU is too short, provisional application is the only way to avoid the dreaded economic breakdown at the end of the year with the agreement. The EU states were expected to initiate the necessary procedure on Thursday, provided all the details of the deal are finalized in time.
The dispute over future fishing rights was the last major stumbling block in the negotiations. It worked until the end. By Wednesday afternoon an agreement in principle had already been confirmed on the other important issue in the conflict: the EU’s demand for fair competition, the so-called level playing field. These are social, environmental and comparable subsidy rules to protect the EU internal market from dumping in the long term.
British media see Johnson’s victory
Several British newspapers announced a Johnson victory early Thursday. The prime minister is about to deliver the Christmas present that Britons have been waiting for so long, the Daily Mail said. Hopes for a “Happy New Year” rose.
“The EU will not have a significant influence on our economy,” acclaimed the “Sun”. Johnson enforced Brexit with a promise to “regain control.” He became prime minister promising to “complete Brexit and conclude a trade deal. Contrary to all expectations, he appears to be delivering on both.”
Without a trade agreement, mutual trade would impose customs duties in accordance with WTO terms by the end of the year. Trade associations are expecting massive border congestion in delivery traffic, as well as disruption of important industrial supply chains, and are warning of billions in additional costs and lost revenue.
(APA / dpa / AFP / Reuters)
