The health emergency has not brought London and Brussels together: after a week of negotiations on the “post-Brexit” relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) , the parties "virtually" left Friday, April 24 in positions as far apart as before the start of the pandemic crisis.
This does not bode well for the rest of the discussions, unless the Johnson government or, even more hypothetically, the Europeans turn the tables, unlikely. How, then, to escape a "no deal" at the end of this year, if London continues to refuse to demand an extension of the transition period?
Michel Barnier, the chief negotiator for the Europeans, has concealed neither his annoyance nor his concern, from Brussels, after a round of negotiations started at the beginning of the week and consisting of 40 videoconferences. “The UK wants tangible progress. We are on the same line. This means that we need to make real progress before the end of June, to find a good deal in late December. Therefore, it will take more political dynamism and move forward in parallel on all aspects of the negotiation ”, said the European negotiator.
However, said the French (cured of Covid-19, after falling ill in March), if there were some "Technical rapprochements", there is "No UK commitments on fundamental points, which we did not invent, however, since they are contained in the withdrawal agreement (the divorce treaty)".
Mr. Barnier listed "Four themes of disappointment". The first, the "Level playing field (regulatory harmonization)", basis of "Better relationship" between two sovereign parties, certainly, but which cannot be unbalanced in favor of the smallest (the United Kingdom), which should realize, he implied, that there is access to a market of 450 million consumers.
No partnership without agreement on fisheries
London still absolutely refuses to commit to aligning itself with certain European standards (labor law, taxation, environment), although Brussels makes it a necessary condition of access to its internal market. Second subject: the global governance of the future relationship: British negotiators refuse to accede to the European Convention on Human Rights and, even more, the recognition of the role of the European Court of Justice.
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