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The latest round of negotiations on Britain’s future relationship with the EU was also unsuccessful. EU negotiator Barnier accuses the British of “lack of ambition”, who complain about Brussels’ “ideological approach”.
Michel Barnier, a European Union negotiator in talks with Britain after Brexit, only sees “modest successes” after the last round of negotiations. He was “disappointed by the lack of ambition on the part of the British in other areas that are not the focus of the negotiations, but are important and symbolic.” The next round of negotiations had to be more dynamic to avoid a deadlock.
Britain left the EU on January 31: Negotiations on future mutual relations began years earlier, but have so far had no results. Representatives from both sides began the third round of negotiations after the resignation on Monday. Time is short: if an agreement is not reached by the end of the year, a “Brexit without agreement” threatens, in which common economic, legal and social norms have not been clarified. An extension of the trading period would have to be agreed by the end of June; the United Kingdom has so far refused to do so.
EU wants to speed up preparations for “no deal”
Barnier said after today’s talks that he “was not optimistic” that a deal would still work. The EU was ready in case of a “no deal” and would speed up its preparations, would not sell its securities for the benefit of the British economy.
British chief negotiator David Frost also complained about the lack of movement in the negotiations. There has been “very little progress” in reaching an agreement “on the most important open questions between us.” This applies above all to the point of fair and equitable competitive conditions.
British want unhindered market access
After leaving the EU, Britain wants unfettered access to the internal market of the international community. The EU only wants to grant this if the UK abides by the rules and regulations of the internal market to avoid unequal competitive conditions. This includes, for example, compliance with the same social and environmental standards.
Frost accused the EU of an “ideological approach” on this point. However, he still considers an end-of-year agreement to be “possible”: for example, with regard to law enforcement, an agreement on schedule is conceivable without major problems.
A new round of negotiations is planned for the week after June 1, then the possibility of an extension has expired. Many experts believe that the timetable is not feasible because such a comprehensive agreement can hardly be negotiated so quickly in good times. The coronavirus pandemic and its economic consequences make conditions even more difficult.
