EU and UK make one last attempt at a post-Brexit deal
The European Union and the United Kingdom’s negotiating teams resumed this Sunday in Brussels the negotiations for an agreement that defines their post-Brexit relationship. It could be their last chance to achieve it in time to avoid a total rupture at the end of this year.
Negotiations stalled on Friday after several days of talks in London that seemed set to succeed. However, the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, and the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, decided a new attempt was worth making.
On Sunday, Von der Leyen and Johnson said they have agreed that their negotiating teams should make a further effort to assess whether they can be resolved. The British and European teams have resumed work and will continue to negotiate throughout Monday, community sources stated.
Michael Clauss, the German ambassador to the EU, has invited the European negotiator, Michel Barnier, to brief the 27th EU ambassadors on the talks on Monday at 7.30 am (6.30 am GMT). Germany is chairing the EU Council this semester. Besides, Von der Leyen and Johnson will speak again in the afternoon to see if it is possible to put an end to the journey.
Mutual accusations between London and Paris
In recent days, both sides have accused each other of blocking negotiations that began in February and have intensified in recent weeks. The feeling spread among the Twenty-seven that Barnier was reaching the limit of the assignments they could make to reach an agreement, and it was up to London to make a move.
The United Kingdom accuses the EU of having presented a lot of additional demands at the last minute. According to George Eustice, the British Minister for the Environment, the bloc maintains a “ridiculous” position on fisheries.
The political relevance of fishing far exceeds its economic weight – 0.1% of GDP. Some Community countries, particularly France, the Netherlands, Belgium or Denmark, depend on waters.
Precisely the French Government has warned this week that it will veto the agreement if it does not satisfy the country. It is something that no State has done so far.
Clément Beaune, the Secretary of State for French European Affairs, stated that they would examine it if an agreement was reached. If it is not reasonable and in accordance with their interests, particularly for fishermen, France, like any other member state, can issue a veto.
