In a few days, the tone changed on both sides of the Channel. As if the second wave of the Covid-19 epidemic now makes it unthinkable that Europeans and the United Kingdom will separate without a trade agreement. As much as the outbreak of the pandemic last spring had thrown the delicate subject of Brexit into the background – after all, there was still time, since the UK’s exit from the internal market is scheduled for December 31 – so much, this time it is urgent.
Of course, nothing has been done yet. And Emmanuel Macron made a point of emphasizing this when he arrived in Brussels, Thursday, October 15, before joining his European counterparts, for advice partly devoted to Brexit: “It is possible that we do not agree”, launched the French president, ” we are ready “. But many of his counterparts have chosen another register of language. “I am cautiously optimistic”, commented the Dutchman Mark Rutte. Before continuing: “We all have a huge interest” to find common ground, “Europeans as well as British”.
In this context, however, the Europeans wanted to be firm and united and above all not to give London to think that they would be ready for an agreement at any cost. The Council’s conclusions, which are always prepared ahead of the meeting, have also been hardened as the meeting of the Twenty-Seven approaches. “They were a bit weak at the start. It was said that it was necessary to “intensify” the negotiations to reach an “agreement” ”, confides a European source.
Talks have stalled for months
Ultimately, the Board noted “With concern that the progress made on key issues of interest to the Union is still not sufficient for an agreement to be reached”. He invited Michel Barnier, the chief negotiator on the Brussels side, “To continue negotiations in the coming weeks” and called on the UK to do “The necessary actions” for these to succeed.
The talks have stalled for months on three issues – fisheries, conditions of competition and how to settle disputes in the future agreement – but, in recent days, prospects for progress have been noted. “We must slowly ask ourselves what difference is acceptable between the mandate [de négociations] and the result that can be obtained “, estimated, on the eve of the summit, a diplomatic source.
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