The Brexit bill introduced on Wednesday 9 September by the British government “Violate international law and undermine trust” with the European Union (EU), thundered the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The text defended by Prime Minister Boris Johnson intends to unilaterally modify the agreement negotiated with the EU – an agreement which has the status of an international treaty – and go back on certain commitments.
These changes to the agreement aim, Boris Johnson told MPs, to “Guarantee the fluidity and security of our British internal market”. They relate in particular to customs arrangements in Northern Ireland, and are intended to facilitate trade within the United Kingdom after the end of the post-Brexit transition period, which will end at the end of December. Northern Ireland Minister Brandon Lewis conceded that the text ” [violait] international law in a very specific and limited way ”.
The initial text – the Northern Irish Protocol – aims to guarantee the absence of a physical border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (member of the EU), and to avoid the resurgence of tensions in this region. , bloodied by three decades of “Troubles” – until the signing of the so-called Good Friday peace agreement in 1998. The return of customs controls raised fears of renewed tensions in the British province. It is “Protect our country from the extreme or irrational interpretation of the protocol, which could lead to a border in the Irish Sea – in a way which in my opinion would be detrimental to the interest of the Good Friday Agreement and detrimental to the interests of peace in our country ”, pleaded Mr Johnson.
The Conservative Prime Minister is criticized even in his own camp, including by former head of government Theresa May. SNP leader of the Scottish separatists in the House of Commons, Ian Blackford, accused him of wanting to create a “Rogue state” and consider each other “Above the law”.
European Parliament warns of “serious consequences”
This surprise turnaround in London is adding fuel to the already difficult negotiations with the European Union on a post-Brexit trade deal. He exposes London to “Serious consequences” from Brussels, warned the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli. Irish Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar compared the UK government’s maneuver to an act ” Suicide bomber ” : this maneuver, in fact, was not long in “Return” against him by the wave of negative reactions that it aroused.
While defending its strategy, the government is piloting a highly sensitive eighth round of negotiations with the EU. The talks began on Tuesday and are scheduled to last until Thursday. Arrived in London, the EU negotiator, Michel Barnier, will seek clarification on these latest developments. “We are in a constructive spirit, but firm in substance”, declared the French Secretary of State for European Affairs, Clément Beaune, in a joint meeting with his German counterpart, Michael Roth, in Berlin.
The UK formally left the EU on January 31, nearly four years after a landmark referendum marking the end of forty-six years of a heated marriage. But it remains governed by European regulations until the end of December, a transition period during which the two parties attempt to conclude a free trade agreement. The outcome of these talks remains uncertain.
Negotiations come up against in particular fishing and the conditions of fair competition. Time is running out, with Brussels wanting an agreement by the end of October to allow for timely ratification. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, for his part, warned that without a compromise between now and the EU summit on October 15, he would be satisfied with a “No deal”, and this despite the risks of economic damage during a period of historic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
