Very little progress in the last round of Brexit negotiations – POLITICO

LONDON – The third round of the EU-UK. Discussions on their future relationship ended on Friday with "very little progress," according to British chief negotiator David Frost, and this opinion echoed Michel Barnier of the EU.

In a statement, Frost said that "the main obstacle" to an agreement with the EU remains "the bloc's" insistence "that the UK comply with EU laws and regulations". EU in exchange for access to its single market, the so-called side of the level playing field. The UK continues to oppose this request, arguing that Brussels does not require it from other countries with which it has signed free trade agreements, such as Canada.

"As soon as the EU recognizes that we will not reach an agreement on this basis, we can move forward," said Frost in the statement.

Shortly after, EU chief Brexit negotiator Barnier said that although this round has clarified a number of "useful points", for example in trade in goods, no real progress was not done on issues such as governance, fisheries or equality provisions. conditions.

At a press conference, Barnier said that when it comes to a level playing field, "the United Kingdom has not entered into a real discussion".

"We are not going to trade our European securities for the benefit of the British economy," said Barnier. "Economic and commercial fair play is not for sale. It is not a" must have ", it is a" must have ".

"We are also disappointed with the UK's lack of ambition in other areas, which are not at the center of the negotiations but remain important and symbolic," said Barnier. He discussed the role of the European Parliament and the British Parliament in the implementation of the agreement on future relations.

On fisheries, Frost said the two negotiating teams had "useful discussions", but that "the EU continues to insist on fisheries agreements and access to British fishing waters in a way that does not conform to our future state as an independent coastal state. "

"We are fully committed to accepting fisheries provisions in accordance with the political declaration, but we cannot accept agreements which are clearly unbalanced and contrary to the interests of the British fishing industry," added Frost. "It is difficult to understand why the EU insists on an ideological approach which makes it more difficult to reach a mutually beneficial agreement."

Frost added that an agreement on a comprehensive free trade agreement is close at hand, as well as individual agreements on issues such as law enforcement, nuclear energy and 39; aviation. In these areas, the two sides have submitted comprehensive legal texts and there is "clearly a good understanding between the negotiators," he said.

The fourth round of negotiations is scheduled to start on June 1. The British government has said it intends to release all of its draft legal texts next week.

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