[ad_1]
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised in June to give “some life” to the stalled talks and personally joined them.
His main goal at the time was to reach a general agreement by the end of July to assure British companies that they would not have to prepare for a chaotic “divorce” without a contract when the current transition period ends on December 31.
However, top negotiators on both sides believe that Mr. Johnson’s will is not likely to be realized, given fundamental disagreements in important areas such as fishing rights and fair competition rules.
“Unfortunately, it is clear that we will not achieve an ‘early understanding of the principles underlying any agreement in July,'” said David Frost, the British spokesman.
He accused the EU of failing to recognize Britain’s economic and political independence, calling the two sides’ disagreements on some issues “significant.”
Frost’s colleague Michel Barnier, meanwhile, criticized London for refusing to redraw its “red lines.”
“The UK has so far refused to commit to open and fair competition and a balanced fisheries agreement, so a trade agreement is unlikely to be reached at this time,” he said at a press conference.
A senior British government official said that during the informal talks in London next week, the two sides would try to reach a common agreement that would become a comprehensive agreement rather than several smaller ones.
London expects “textured” talks on the details to start in mid-August and last until September.
“The negotiations are enough to continue the dialogue”
Britain, implementing the results of the 2016 referendum that divided its society, left the Community on January 31, in which it had been integrated for almost half a century.
The event was a personal triumph for Johnson, one of the main faces of the EU exit campaign. She managed to push the “divorce” deal through the British Parliament, which, despite great efforts, her predecessor Theresa May was unable to do.
Great Britain until December 31. It will be subject to the rules of the bloc as the government negotiates future relations with its largest trading partner.
Johnson decided last month not to extend the transition due to political risk.
London also says that overtime would still not be able to resolve major disagreements about what the future relationship should be like.
Brussels takes the position that the geographical proximity of the United Kingdom and the bloc’s previous membership means that the country must adhere more strictly to EU standards than other countries if it wants to trade on the Community market.
Britain responds to this demand by asking the EU to treat it in the same way as other independent countries that have trade agreements with the bloc.
If this important issue is not addressed, bilateral relations would have to be regulated in accordance with the minimum standards established by the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Such rules would impose higher tariffs and burdensome requirements on companies, which could jeopardize trade and undermine the confidence of EU investors in Britain.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on July 1, with her country assuming the rotating presidency of the European Union. declared that the bloc “must and must” prepare for such a scenario.
But neither London nor Brussels are losing hope yet.
“Progress is real,” said a senior UK government official. “These negotiations are enough to continue the dialogue.”
The official called Barnier’s warning that the talks could fail if the parties persistently change their current positions, an “old truth.”
“Obviously, if we do not agree on these aspects, there will be no agreement,” said the British official. – When the process is no longer useful and there is no opportunity to agree, there is no longer any point in talking. We have not yet reached that stage. “
Barnier said he was ready to negotiate “until the last minute.”
“Neither David Frosto nor my team thought about withdrawing from the negotiations,” he told reporters. “It really wasn’t.”
It is not allowed to publish, quote or reproduce the information of the BNS news agency in the media and on the Internet without the written consent of UAB “BNS”.
[ad_2]
