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The EU and the UK only have a few weeks to agree a deal on future relations. However, negotiations on this have been stalled for months. After another EU summit on the issue, the continuation of the talks is now uncertain. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has once again threatened a hard Brexit, but the EU still does not want to abandon the deal.
The president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that the Brussels negotiators would travel to London next week “as planned” to “intensify these negotiations”. As the AFP news agency learned from EU circles, London is said to have agreed to continue the negotiations. However, the British government did not confirm it.
“The trade talks are over,” said a Johnson spokesman. “The EU has effectively ended it.” If Brussels doesn’t fundamentally move, the team led by chief negotiator Michel Barnier won’t have to bother coming to London.
Johnson had recently accused the EU of not negotiating seriously. If it does not change its position, Britain will prepare to set up its trade relations with the EU from January on the basis of World Trade Organization regulations. In his speech he prepared his country for a tough break with the EU without a treaty.
Mayor of London calls for extension of transition period
This development is viewed with concern in Scotland. Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon expressed concern. “I am frustrated and saddened by the prospect of a no-deal Brexit after the transition period in late December,” Sturgeon said.
In reality, it is a time when “100 percent of our time and energy” is needed to contain the corona pandemic. In view of the short time left, Sturgeon only makes a minimal commitment, even in the best of cases.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged Johnson to extend the Brexit transition period due to the ongoing corona pandemic. “The last thing London needs is the uncertainty and chaos of a no-deal Brexit,” Khan wrote on Twitter.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has not given up hope for a deal yet. Although the British prime minister is already coming to terms with failure, Merkel spoke out in favor of continuing Brexit negotiations after the EU summit.
“We saw light in the last days of the negotiations, but of course still shadows. And if it is up to the European Union and me personally, then we should continue these talks now,” he said.
The foreign minister also emphasized that one had to prepare for failure: “I still think that it is better for both parties to reach an agreement, but not at any price.”
Britain left the EU on February 1. However, it will remain in the EU internal market and in the customs union until the end of the year. In reality, both parties wanted to use this transition phase to negotiate a trade agreement. The talks have barely advanced for months.
The EU summit on Thursday called on the UK to advance the negotiations. Specifically, it refers to fishing spots, equal conditions and dispute resolution in the event of breach of contract.
