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The ambassadors of the 27 member states tentatively said yes to the proposal and initiated a decision by written procedure, which should end on Tuesday (3 pm). This was announced by a spokesman for the German presidency of the Council of the EU on Twitter.
The laboriously negotiated trade and association agreement will regulate economic relations between the island and the mainland from January 2021. The most important point is to avoid tariffs and ensure that trade is as smooth as possible. The contract also includes fishing and cooperation in energy, transport, justice, police and many other topics.
The provisional application of the treaty is necessary because there is no time for the European Parliament to ratify it before the end of the year; must be made up after the New Year. The transition period after the UK leaves the EU in January will already expire on December 31, and Britain will also leave the internal market and the customs union. On the British side, Parliament must approve the treaty on December 30.
Negotiators on both sides only agreed to the 1,250-page document at Christmas. It is supposed to avoid a strong economic breakdown. However, the relationship between the two parties will be much less close in the future than before. Despite the contract, merchandise controls are necessary at the borders, among other things because evidence of compliance with food and product standards must be provided.
British fishermen feel betrayed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the Brexit deal. “Boris Johnson promised us the rights to all the fish that swim in our exclusive economic zone, but we only get a fraction,” said the head of the National Federation of Fisheries Organizations (NFFO), Andrew Locker, on BBC Radio 4. “I’m angry, disappointed and feel betrayed. ” British fishermen would now have to fight hard to maintain their livelihood.
British Minister of State Michael Gove disagreed. Britain will be in a much stronger position than the EU, Gove told the broadcaster. Under the EU Common Fisheries Policy, British fishermen would only have access to 50 per cent of the fish in British waters. That number will now increase to two-thirds by 2026, Gove said.
Fishing had been one of the most difficult points of discussion until the end. Finally, it was agreed that the EU would gradually abandon 25 per cent of its previous catch quota in British waters during a transition phase of five and a half years, depending on the value of the fish. If London further restricts access later, Brussels could respond with fees. Observers saw the deal as a major concession from London. On the EU side, however, the European Fisheries Alliance is also disappointed. “EU fishermen will pay a high price for a Brexit deal,” the association complained last week. Your future is uncertain.
