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The European Commission launched a formal infringement procedure against the British government on Thursday for violating “good faith” through its Internal Market Act.
The bill currently being approved by parliament reverses aspects of the withdrawal agreement between the EU and the UK signed last year and would “flagrantly violate” agreements made to avoid a border across the island of Ireland, he said. the Commission.
The bill has passed all stages in the House of Commons and has now passed the House of Lords. It is not likely to become law before the end of November or December.
“This draft law is by its very nature a breach of the obligation of good faith established in the withdrawal agreement. Furthermore, if it is adopted as is, it will be in total contradiction to the Ireland-Northern Ireland protocol, ”said the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
The EU had warned Britain that it would “not be shy” in taking legal action and gave London until September 30 to remove problematic parts of the bill.
“The deadline expired yesterday, the problematic provisions have not been removed. Therefore this morning the commission decided to send a formal notification letter to the UK government. This is the first step in an infringement procedure, ”said Dr. von der Leyen.
The commission informed the British government of the impending legal proceedings in a formal notification letter on Thursday and gave London one month to respond.
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The announcement raises the stakes as tough talks between the UK and the EU continue this week to try to avoid the prospect of a no-deal British exit on January 1, with the two sides still divided on issues such as fisheries, state aid and governance. .
Officials from EU member states have warned that it will be impossible to reach a deal with Britain if the internal markets bill advances in its current format.
The bill gives British ministers the power to “waive” rules for goods traveling from Britain to Northern Ireland previously agreed with the EU and promulgated into law, in what the commission said would be a clear violation. of the Northern Ireland protocol.
“Representatives of the UK government have acknowledged this violation, stating that its purpose was to allow it to permanently deviate from its obligations under the protocol,” the commission said in a statement.
“The UK government has been unable to withdraw the contentious parts of the bill, despite requests from the European Union. In doing so, the UK has failed to fulfill its obligation to act in good faith. “
A British government spokesman said London would respond to the letter “in due course”. “We have clearly stated our reasons for introducing the measures related to the Northern Ireland protocol,” the spokesman said.
“We need to create a legal safety net to protect the integrity of the UK internal market, ensure that ministers can always fulfill their obligations to Northern Ireland and protect the benefits of the peace process.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin meets with Dr von der Leyen in Brussels on Thursday ahead of a meeting of the 27 EU leaders where he will be invited to address the European Council on Ireland’s perspective on the progress of talks with Gran Brittany. “Since Ireland is deeply affected by Brexit, it is the intention [European Council president Charles Michel] give him the floor, ”said an EU official.
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