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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.
The background for this is the British Internal Market Act, which was passed by the House of Commons on Tuesday and which aims to undermine parts of the exit agreement that is already in place. The EU Commission had given the British government an ultimatum until Wednesday to withdraw the controversial clauses of the law.
Since this did not happen, the Brussels authority sent an official report to London that they saw a violation of the contract. Von der Leyen gave the British government a month to comment. It is the first step in a process that could finally end before the Court of Justice of the European Communities.
The EU continues to insist on compliance with the treaty
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.
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.
Negotiations continue
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 will also leave the EU internal market and customs union at the end of the year. Without a follow-up contract, there is a risk of a sharp economic breakdown with tariffs and other trade barriers.
