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Kamis, 10 Desember 2020

Brexit: EU sets out plans in case trade talks with UK fail - BBC News

Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels - 9 December

The EU has published contingency plans in case of the possible collapse of Brexit trade talks with the UK.

The plans aim to ensure smooth UK-EU air and road travel, as well as allowing the possibility of fishing access to each other's waters.

They come after talks between UK PM Boris Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen aimed at ending a deadlock over the deal ended without agreement.

The UK is due to stop following EU trading rules on 31 December.

The UK left the EU at the end of January this year, but a transition period of 11 months followed to allow the two sides to try to negotiate a deal.

The prime minister's spokesman said such a statement from the EU had been expected and that the government had already set out its own plans in the event a trade deal could not be reached.

The EU's contingency plans

A statement by the European Commission - the EU executive - published on Thursday said there was currently "significant uncertainty" about whether a deal would be in place by 1 January.

"Our responsibility is to be prepared for all eventualities, including not having a deal in place," Ms von der Leyen said.

Some sectors would be disproportionately affected, the commission said, adding that it was proposing four contingency measures "to mitigate some of the significant disruptions" if a deal were not in place:

To ensure the provision of "certain air services" between the UK and EU for six months, provided the UK does the same
To allow aviation safety certificates to be used in EU aircraft without disruption to avoid grounding
To ensure basic connectivity for road freight and passenger transport for six months, provided the UK does the same
To allow the possibility of reciprocal fishing access for UK and EU vessels in each other's waters for one year, or until an agreement is reached

Reacting to the plans, Boris Johnson's spokesman said the UK government would look "very closely at the details" and that negotiators were "continuing to work to see if the two sides could bridge the remaining gaps".

The spokesman added that the government "had been clear throughout it would not agree to anything that did not respect UK sovereignty".

A conditional EU olive branch

Analysis box by Nick Beake, Brussels correspondent

The European Commission has until now resisted calls from EU member states to publish these plans, partly because it did not want to jeopardise further the already perilous trade talks.

The thinking was that the UK may view any EU contingency plans as rather palatable and encourage them to pursue a path to no deal. Certainly, the proposal that planes and lorries would keep moving would appear to remove an element of drama from what happens on 1 January.

And on fishing - such a totemic issue in the wider talks - the message is that this would protect coastal communities in the face on growing uncertainty.

But dig deeper, and the EU olive branch is dependent on the UK accepting key terms, including agreements on the increasingly famous "level playing field" - the very subject which is proving so divisive in the seemingly deadlocked trade talks.

The state of play with the talks

Negotiations on a trade deal are continuing, but Downing Street said following Wednesday's talks between Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen that "very large gaps remain".

Brexit: Seven things that will change on 1 January

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said it was "unlikely" the negotiations would be extended beyond Sunday, while Paymaster General Penny Mordaunt said the UK was "working tirelessly to get a deal" but could not accept a deal at any cost.

Ms von der Leyen said on Thursday the EU was willing to grant the UK access to the single market "but the conditions have to be fair... for our workers and our companies".

"This fine balance of fairness has not been achieved so far. We will take a decision on Sunday."

EU leaders will be briefed about the talks at a summit in Brussels later on Thursday, although Brexit is not on the official discussion agenda.

EU travel ban possible

Separately, the European Commission has confirmed reports that a ban on travel to the EU because of Covid-19 levels, now applying to non-EU countries, could be extended to UK visitors from 1 January.

Currently only eight countries with low Covid rates are on the approved list for free travel and there are no plans to add the UK to that list.

But EU member states have control over their own border restrictions and could choose to have their own individual travel corridors and allow British visitors in.

How will Brexit affect you? Do you have any questions about the trade deal? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.

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2020-12-10 12:21:00Z
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Brexit: EU sets out plans in case trade talks with UK fail - BBC News

The EU has published contingency plans in case of the possible collapse of Brexit trade talks with the UK.

The plans aim to ensure basic UK-EU air and road travel, as well as allowing the possibility of fishing access to each other's waters.

They come after talks between UK PM Boris Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen aimed at ending a deadlock over the deal ended without agreement.

The UK is due to stop following EU trading rules on 31 December.

The UK left the EU at the end of January this year, but a transition period of 11 months followed to allow the two sides to try to negotiate a deal.

What is in the EU's contingency plans?

A European Commission statement published on Thursday morning said there was currently "significant uncertainty" about whether a deal would be in place by 1 January.

"Our responsibility is to be prepared for all eventualities, including not having a deal in place," Ms von der Leyen said.

To ensure the provision of "certain air services" between the UK and EU for six months, provided the UK does the same
To allow aviation safety certificates to be used in EU aircraft without disruption to avoid grounding
To ensure basic connectivity for road freight and passenger transport for six months, provided the UK does the same
To allow the possibility of reciprocal fishing access for UK and EU vessels in each other's waters for one year, or until an agreement is reached

A conditional EU olive branch

By Nick Beake, BBC News, Brussels

The European Commission has until now resisted calls from EU member states to publish these plans, partly because it didn't want to jeopardise further the already perilous trade talks.

The thinking was that the UK may view any EU contingency plans as rather palatable and encourage them to pursue a path to No Deal.

Certainly, the proposal that planes and lorries would keep moving would appear to remove an element of drama from what happens on 1 January.

And on fishing - such a totemic issue in the wider talks - the message is that this would protect coastal communities in the face on growing uncertainty.

What is the state of play with the talks?

Negotiations on a trade deal are continuing, but Downing Street said following Wednesday's talks between Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen that "very large gaps remain".

Brexit: Seven things that will change on 1 January

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said it was "unlikely" the negotiations would be extended beyond Sunday.

Paymaster General Penny Mordaunt said the UK was "working tirelessly to get a deal" but could not accept a deal at any cost.

She said the UK had made "extensive preparations", including for a no-deal outcome.

Ms von der Leyen said on Thursday the EU was willing to grant the UK access to the single market "but the conditions have to be fair... for our workers and our companies".

"This fine balance of fairness has not been achieved so far. We will take a decision on Sunday."

EU leaders will be briefed about the talks at a summit in Brussels later on Thursday, although Brexit is not on the official discussion agenda.

Separately, the European Commission has confirmed reports that a ban on travel to the EU because of Covid-19 levels, now applying to non-EU countries, could be extended to UK visitors from 1 January.

Currently only eight countries with low Covid rates are on the approved list for free travel and there are no plans to add the UK to that list.

But EU member states have control over their own border restrictions and could choose to have their own individual travel corridors and allow British visitors in.

How will Brexit affect you? Do you have any questions about the trade deal? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Brexit: EU sets out plans in case trade talks with UK fail - BBC News

The EU has published contingency plans in case of the possible collapse of Brexit trade talks with the UK.

The plans aim to ensure basic UK-EU air and road travel, as well as allowing the possibility of fishing access to each other's waters.

They come after talks between UK PM Boris Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen aimed at ending a deadlock over the deal ended without agreement.

The UK is due to stop following EU trading rules on 31 December.

The UK left the EU at the end of January this year, but a transition period of 11 months followed to allow the two sides to try to negotiate a deal.

What is in the EU's contingency plans?

A European Commission statement published on Thursday morning said there was currently "significant uncertainty" about whether a deal would be in place by 1 January.

"Our responsibility is to be prepared for all eventualities, including not having a deal in place," Ms von der Leyen said.

To ensure the provision of "certain air services" between the UK and EU for six months, provided the UK does the same
To allow aviation safety certificates to be used in EU aircraft without disruption to avoid grounding
To ensure basic connectivity for road freight and passenger transport for six months, provided the UK does the same
To allow the possibility of reciprocal fishing access for UK and EU vessels in each other's waters for one year, or until an agreement is reached

A conditional EU olive branch

By Nick Beake, BBC News, Brussels

The European Commission has until now resisted calls from EU member states to publish these plans, partly because it didn't want to jeopardise further the already perilous trade talks.

The thinking was that the UK may view any EU contingency plans as rather palatable and encourage them to pursue a path to No Deal.

Certainly, the proposal that planes and lorries would keep moving would appear to remove an element of drama from what happens on 1 January.

And on fishing - such a totemic issue in the wider talks - the message is that this would protect coastal communities in the face on growing uncertainty.

What is the state of play with the talks?

Negotiations on a trade deal are continuing, but Downing Street said following Wednesday's talks between Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen that "very large gaps remain".

Brexit: Seven things that will change on 1 January

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said it was "unlikely" the negotiations would be extended beyond Sunday.

Paymaster General Penny Mordaunt said the UK was "working tirelessly to get a deal" but could not accept a deal at any cost.

She said the UK had made "extensive preparations", including for a no-deal outcome.

Ms von der Leyen said on Thursday the EU was willing to grant the UK access to the single market "but the conditions have to be fair... for our workers and our companies".

"This fine balance of fairness has not been achieved so far. We will take a decision on Sunday."

EU leaders will be briefed about the talks at a summit in Brussels later on Thursday, although Brexit is not on the official discussion agenda.

Separately, the European Commission has confirmed reports that a ban on travel to the EU because of Covid-19 levels, now applying to non-EU countries, will be extended to UK visitors from 1 January.

Currently only eight countries with low Covid rates are on the approved list for free travel and there are no plans to add the UK to that list.

But EU member states have control over their own border restrictions and could choose to have their own individual travel corridors and allow British visitors in.

How will Brexit affect you? Do you have any questions about the trade deal? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Brexit: EU offers no-deal contingency measures for planes, lorries and fishing boats - Sky News

The EU has offered the UK a series of short-term mini-deals for planes, lorries and fishing boats, should there be no full trade deal between the two sides by 1 January.

The bloc made the proposals to the UK on Thursday with trade negotiations still deadlocked just three weeks before the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that, even if a UK-EU trade deal is reached in the coming days, there is "no guarantee" it will be ratified in time for 1 Janaury.

It follows her dinner with Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday night, after which the pair agreed trade talks should continue despite "major differences" remaining between the two sides.

Ms von der Leyen on Thursday outlined four areas - air connectivity, aviation safety, basic road connectivity and fisheries - where short-term agreements could be made in the absence of a trade deal on New Year's Day.

These would keep planes flying, lorries moving and allow fishing boats to continue working in the event of a no-deal outcome.

"Negotiations are still ongoing," Ms von der Leyen said.

"However, given that the end of the transition is very near, there is no guarantee that if and when an agreement is found, it can enter into force on time.

"Our responsibility is to be prepared for all eventualities, including not having a deal in place with the UK on 1 January 2021.

"That is why we are coming forward with these measures today."

The EU's offer includes proposals for new regulations to "ensure the provision of certain air services between the UK and the EU" for six months, should the UK ensure the same.

In order to avoid the grounding of EU aircraft, the bloc is also proposing a new law to ensure "various safety certificates for products can continue to be used in EU aircraft without disruption".

In exchange for the UK assuring the same to EU hauliers, Brussels is offering legislation covering "basic connectivity with regard to both road freight and road passenger transport" for six months.

And, for fisheries, the EU is proposing a year-long legal framework for "continued reciprocal access by EU and UK vessels to each other's waters" in 2021.

The bloc said such a framework could end earlier than 31 December next year, should a new fisheries agreement with the UK be concluded prior to that date.

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2020-12-10 10:52:30Z
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Brexit: Sunday's deadline 'a point of finality' for trade talks unless EU moves, says Dominic Raab - Sky News

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has told Sky News that Sunday will be a "point of finality" for Brexit trade talks if the EU does not "move substantially" in negotiations.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday night shared a three-hour dinner with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the hope of breaking months of deadlock.

Despite the two leaders ordering their chief negotiators to resume talks over the next few days, they also both agreed that trade talks remained "very difficult" and there are still "major differences between the two sides".

Lord Frost, the UK's chief negotiator, has remained in Brussels following Wednesday's dinner to continue talks with his EU counterpart, Michel Barnier.

Mr Johnson and Ms von der Leyen said a "firm decision" about the talks should be taken by Sunday.

And Mr Raab suggested to Sky News this was now being treated as a hard deadline by the UK government - by which to decide whether a free trade agreement is still possible.

"I think we view it as a point when we need some finality," he said.

"I'm just a bit reticent ever to say - you can never say never with these EU negotiations.

"Of course, it depends if the EU moves. If the EU moves substantially and actually we're only dotting a few Is or crossing a few Ts, it might be different.

"But I think without movement on the crucial two, three areas that I've described, I think that will be a point of finality.

"And that's certainly the way the UK side is approaching it."

Mr Raab said the government would "probably" need a yes or no answer on whether a trade deal is possible by Sunday.

But he warned the UK would not concede on so-called level playing field provisions or fisheries - the two most contentious issues - over the next four days.

"We will leave no stone unturned, we would like a free trade deal with the EU," the foreign secretary added.

"But we're not going to sacrifice the basic points of democratic principle on fisheries or on control of our laws as we leave the transition period.

"I think it's important that's recognised on the EU side and, if they do, I think the scope for a deal is still there to be done."

Prior to his trip to Brussels on Wednesday, the prime minister had told MPs the EU wanted the "automatic right" to punish the UK in the future, if it does not comply with new EU laws.

He also suggested the EU wanted to keep control of fishing rights in UK waters beyond the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December.

Mr Raab called on Brussels to recognise "two basic points of principle that no other country in the world would accept in dealing with the EU or anyone else as an independent state".

He said: "The concept the UK would leave the transition period as an independent coastal state but without control of our fisheries; that's something that no country in the world has accepted, or is in the position of - why would the UK?

"Likewise, when we leave, we should be in control of our laws.

"We'll accept the kind of requirements in the EU's own free trade agreements, whether it's South Korea or Canada.

"What we're not going to do is allow the EU, undemocratically, to control our laws in this country."

Ireland's European Commissioner, Mairead McGuinness, said on Thursday she believed "there is a deal to be done" with the UK.

"I hope that we all get a Christmas present over the weekend - an early one," she told RTE Radio.

"And that there is a trade agreement, because I think from all our sides ... that would be the best possible outcome."

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2020-12-10 09:33:45Z
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