Is today an opportunity to break the deadlock between Great Britain and the European Union? – EURACTIV.pl

During a video conference on Monday (15 June) with European Union leaders, an attempt will be made to break the deadlock in the ongoing negotiations regarding future relations between the EU and the UK. On Friday (12 June) the United Kingdom officially notified the European Commission that it is not ready to extend the transition period, which will expire at the end of 2020.

The summit will take place on Monday (15 June). Great Britain And leaders European Union. The meeting will be held in videoconferencing mode.

The prime ministers will participate in it Boris JohnsonPresident of the European Council Charles MichelPresident of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen And the President of the European Parliament David Sassoli.

The aim is to break the deadlock in negotiations on the future relationship between the UK and the European Union. Failure to reach an agreement will be an implementation of the so-called difficult Brexit, and this in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic and its economic consequences may compound the economic losses on both sides.

Brexit: Britain does not want to extend the transition period

The United Kingdom officially announced to the European Commission on Friday (12 June) that it does not want to extend the transition period, which ends on 31 December this year. “I have officially confirmed that the United Kingdom will not extend the transition period (…). On January 1, 2021, we will restore political and economic control and independence.” Informed After a videoconference with the Commissioner of the European Union Marozim Šefczowicz Michael HollowMinister without portfolio in Boris Johnson’s government.

I had London until the end of June this year. To make a decision. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly emphasized that his government would not be interested in the extension – Great Britain could have used this possibility once, remaining under EU jurisdiction for up to 24 months.

Monday’s high-level video conference will analyze the situation in the negotiations between London and Brussels. They are now deadlocked on nearly every issue of the talks.

The European Union and the United Kingdom: Four rounds of negotiations and none

So far, there have been four rounds of negotiations. The last three, due to the coronavirus pandemic, were held in videoconferencing mode. The chief EU negotiator on Friday (5 June) after recent talks Michel Barnier He said that “there is still no tangible progress in the talks.” The French also warned that “this situation cannot continue indefinitely, especially when Great Britain refuses to extend the transition period.”

The main difference between Brussels and London is the nature of the relationship. The Union desires an agreement that covers all the most important aspects of our relationship, such as labor rights from European Union member states in the British Isles or fisheries matters, while the UK chooses a free trade agreement that could be supplemented in the future by separate agreements.

European Union and United Kingdom: Agreement time, end of October

Due to London’s refusal to extend the transition period, the application of European Union law in the United Kingdom will stop on December 31 this year. 11 months after Brexit.

This means that the talks must be completed by October 31 to allow time for possible ratification of the agreement. So the talks will intensify in the coming weeks. The schedule for July is already known. Interviews will take place weekly for the four weeks between June 29 and July 27. It is possible that, due to the improvement in the epidemiological situation, the talks will be held as usual in Brussels and London.

During this time, the two sides plan to discuss as many contentious issues as possible in smaller teams. So far, most talks have been due to the pandemic with the main negotiators from both sides and their teams: Michel Barnier and Davide’a Frost.

What do you expect from video conferencing today? Anonymous European Union officials in an interview with EURACTIV Editorial Office in Brussels recognitionNo one expected a breakthrough after the Monday summit “unless Boris Johnson is surprised by something.” EURACTIV’s interlocutors stress that the videoconference will be an opportunity to convince the British that the position of Michel Barnier, who speaks of the need to negotiate a more comprehensive possible agreement, “reflects the will of the member states, not his rigid position”.

Great Britain is already negotiating with Japan

Meanwhile, Great Britain is not idle. London on Tuesday (9 June) began negotiations on a trade deal with Tokyo. Conversations also take place in video conference mode. It was opened by the British Minister of International Trade Liz Truss And the head of Japanese diplomacy Toshimitsu Motegi. British government ReportThe total annual trade between these countries exceeds 30 billion pounds.