Brexit: EU set to agree UK commerce talks mandate

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Brexit: EU set to agree UK commerce talks mandate

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European Union flags in front of the Berlaymont Building in BrusselsPicture copyright
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Ministers from the EU will meet later to approve their mandate for post-Brexit commerce talks with the UK.

The doc accepted by the EU Basic Affairs Council on Tuesday morning would be the foundation for future negotiations, to be carried out by Michel Barnier.

It should say {that a} commerce deal needs to be based mostly on EU guidelines in some areas as “a reference level”.

In the meantime, UK ministers may also meet at No 10 to debate the federal government’s opening stance for negotiations.

The ultimate settlement is because of be printed on-line and introduced in Parliament on Thursday.

BBC Brussels correspondent Adam Fleming stated the EU doc is essential “as a result of expertise exhibits the EU will solely settle for a last cope with the UK on commerce, safety and different issues that comes near situations set out in it”.

For a free commerce settlement, the EU will demand measures to make sure truthful financial competitors.

In worldwide taxation, environmental and employment legislation this could contain shared requirements that evolve over time, with EU guidelines as “a reference level”.

It additionally means the EU nonetheless desires its guidelines on authorities help for firms – so-called state help – to use in Britain no matter occurs, which has already been rejected by Boris Johnson.

It’s anticipated that ministers within the UK will decide to looking for a Canada-style agreement with zero tariffs, a proposal Mr Johnson and his Europe adviser David Frost have set out in speeches in current weeks.

However the push for a Canada-style deal might arrange a conflict with the EU after its chief negotiator Mr Barnier dominated out such an settlement.

Mr Barnier has beforehand stated the UK is just too shut in proximity to be permitted to compete with the opposite 27 member states on such phrases.

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EPA

Picture caption

The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier will lead talks with the UK on future commerce relations

The prime minister’s official spokesman, requested concerning the commerce talks on Monday, stated: “The UK’s main goal within the negotiations is to make sure that we restore our financial and political independence on 1 January 2021.”

Mr Frost and his workforce will head to Brussels for the primary spherical of negotiations on 2 March.

One conflict anticipated with the forthcoming publication of the EU’s negotiation mandate is on fishing, with main member states talking frequently about wanting continued entry to UK waters.

In a speech in Greenwich, south-east London, earlier this month Mr Johnson introduced that, as soon as freed from the EU’s Frequent Fisheries Coverage, “British fishing grounds are firstly for British boats”.

However French Europe minister Amelie de Montchalin signalled fishing could be a flash level when the 2 negotiating groups come collectively in London and Brussels over the approaching months.

“The fishermen have the best to be protected, they know very effectively that if we signal a foul deal they may lose enormously,” she advised TV station France 2.

A leaked draft of the EU negotiation mandate final week additionally included a stipulation that the UK ought to “return unlawfully eliminated cultural objects to their international locations of origin”.

The passage is assumed to seek advice from the Elgin Marbles, historic Greek sculptures taken to Britain greater than 200 years in the past and now on show within the British Museum.

Downing Road has insisted the way forward for the marbles is “not up for dialogue as a part of our commerce negotiations”.

The PM is predicted to fulfill Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz in No 10 on Tuesday as a part of his diplomatic efforts with EU leaders earlier than talks begin.

On Monday, Mr Johnson mentioned the negotiations along with his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic, whose nation holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Downing Road stated the PM highlighted the UK was “not looking for a particular or bespoke settlement, however relatively one like these the EU has already struck with different pleasant international locations like Canada”.

The No 10 spokesman added: “He emphasised that the UK is not going to lengthen the transition interval or settle for any preparations which subordinate us to EU guidelines.”

The transition interval runs till 31 December 2020, throughout which period the UK continues comply with EU guidelines – together with freedom of motion.

It’s supposed to permit time for the UK and the EU to agree a post-Brexit commerce settlement.



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