Jumat, 15 Mei 2020

Brexit crisis: David Frost condemns Barnier as talks judder to halt - EU issued ultimatum - Express.co.uk

Mr Frost was speaking following the third round of talks with the EU as they try to strike an agreement on a post-Brexit free trade agreement.

But the UK's chief negotiator has been left furious by the lack of progress being made in talks, with London wanting a deal agreed before the end of the transition period in December.

He raged the EU is insisting on including a set of "novel and unbalanced proposals" on the so-called “level playing field” which would "bind this country to EU law or standards", something Mr Frost said is "unprecedented in Free Trade Agreements and not envisaged in the Political Declaration".

The UK's chief negotiator warned that until Brussels changes its stance on this, further progress can't be made.

Mr Frost said: “We have just completed our third negotiating round with the EU, once again by videoconference. I would like to thank Michel Barnier and the negotiating teams on both sides for their determination in making the talks work in these difficult circumstances.

“I regret however that we made very little progress towards agreement on the most significant outstanding issues between us.

“It is very clear that a standard Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, with other key agreements on issues like law enforcement, civil nuclear, and aviation alongside, all in line with the Political Declaration, could be agreed without major difficulties in the time available.

brexit uk eu talks

Brexit talks between the UK and EU are threatening to descend into chaos (Image: GETTY)

"Both sides have tabled full legal texts, there are plenty of precedents, and there is clearly a good understanding between negotiators.

“The major obstacle to this is the EU’s insistence on including a set of novel and unbalanced proposals on the so-called “level playing field” which would bind this country to EU law or standards, or determine our domestic legal regimes, in a way that is unprecedented in Free Trade Agreements and not envisaged in the Political Declaration.

"As soon as the EU recognises that we will not conclude an agreement on that basis, we will be able to make progress.

Mr Frost admitted that while there have been many "useful discussions" around several elements on fisheries, the EU is refusing to give ground on its demands for access to British in a way that is incompatible with our future status as an independent coastal state waters".

He warned the UK "cannot agree arrangements that are manifestly unbalanced and against the interests of the UK fishing industry".

Mr Frost raged: “Although we have had useful discussions on fisheries on the basis of our draft legal text, the EU continues to insist on fisheries arrangements and access to UK fishing waters in a way that is incompatible with our future status as an independent coastal state.

"We are fully committed to agreeing fishing provisions in line with the Political Declaration, but we cannot agree arrangements that are manifestly unbalanced and against the interests of the UK fishing industry.

Mr Frost also warned the eU will have to change its approach before the next round of talks between the two sides begins in just two weeks' time. 

“It is hard to understand why the EU insists on an ideological approach which makes it more difficult to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

“We very much need a change in EU approach for the next Round beginning on 1 June. In order to facilitate those discussions, we intend to make public all the UK draft legal texts during next week so that the EU’s Member States and interested observers can see our approach in detail.

“The UK will continue to work hard to find an agreement, for as long as there is a constructive process in being, and continues to believe that this is possible.”

But Mr Barnier immediately hit back at the UK, describing the latest round of talks as "disappointing" and warned "we're not going to bargain away our values for the benefit of the British economy.

brexit timeline

Brexit news: The UK wants a trade deal with the EU signed before the end of this year (Image: EXPRESS)

He also warned the EU would not sign a trade teal with Britain without level playing field guarantees of fair competition or without a comprehensive agreement on fisheries.

The Brexit negotiator told a European Commission press conference: "You cannot have the best of both worlds.

"In parallel to these negotiations, both the UK and the EU have a legal commitment to implement the Withdrawal Agreement.

"Here, citizens' rights are the priority for both sides and since the very beginning the UK tells us it has some concerns about the treatment of British nationals in the EU.

"We yesterday received a letter from Michael Gove.

"I want to tell you that the commission is very, very attentive to this issue and we have just published guidelines to support all 27 member states to live up to the commitments of the Withdrawal Agreement."

Trade talks between the UK and EU began in March after Britain officially left the bloc on January 31.

Boris Johnson has always insisted he wants an agreement between the two sides in place before the end of the transition period on December 31.

The UK has until June 30 to request an extension to this deadline, and has been urged to do so by Brussels.

But despite the coronavirus pandemic sweeping through Europe, Mr Johnson is continuing to stand his ground on a deal being agreed this year.

This has infuriated leading EU figures, including Mr Barnier and European commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who have warned this deadline will be impossible to meet.

This is a breaking story. More to follow...

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2020-05-15 11:38:00Z
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