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In the Brexit dispute, the European Union is taking legal action against Britain for violating the EU Withdrawal Treaty. This was announced by the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Brussels on Thursday.
His authority sent a letter to the London government, which was the first step in the infringement procedure. The procedure could lead to a lawsuit before the European Court of Justice, which could impose fines on the United Kingdom.
The tone of the press release is fresh: ‘The European Commission today sent the UK a formal notification letter for breach of its obligations under the withdrawal agreement. This is the beginning of the formal infringement proceedings against the UK. The country has a month to respond to today’s letter, ”he says.
Shot on tuesday
Despite all the warnings, the British House of Commons voted this week in favor of the controversial Single Market Act, with which Britain wants to undo parts of the already valid Brexit deal with the EU. With 340 to 256 votes, Prime Minister Boris Johnson passed the law in London’s Parliament on Tuesday night with a clear majority. Then the law has not yet been passed by the House of Lords.
The Single Market Act, which has not yet been dealt with by the British House of Lords, would be a violation of the “good faith” principle set out in the treaty and specifically against the protocol for Northern Ireland, von der Leyen said. Despite the process that has started, the EU will continue to insist on full compliance with the exit agreement and will adhere to it. “We fulfill our obligations,” von der Leyen said.
“A breach of trust”
The EU had condemned Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plans as a breach of trust and a violation of international law. The British government, on the other hand, describes it as a “safety net” in the event that a trade deal with the EU becomes unsuccessful before the end of the year. You want to revoke the special terms contractually agreed for Northern Ireland.
Under the treaty, the British province will continue to be more closely linked to the EU internal market and the customs union, which means that controls on goods traffic with the rest of the UK are necessary. London warns that this could uncouple Northern Ireland. However, Johnson accepted this in the Brexit treaty.
Despite the dispute over the Internal Market Law, negotiations on the trade pact that both parties have planned for the period after the Brexit transition phase will resume this week.
Britain left the EU at the end of 2019. A transitional regulation will apply until the end of 2020. Negotiations are currently underway on what the relationship should look like afterwards. Prime Minister Boris Johnson would like a complete disconnect without further cooperation. (gf / SDA)
