Michel Barnier appeared very annoyed this Friday when he took stock of the progress of negotiations on the future relationship of the European Union with the British. A second round of talks took place this week via videoconference due to the coronavirus and obviously, for the EU chief negotiator, it was not very successful. "The objective we had of advancing towards tangible progress (...) was only very partially achieved" , regretted the Frenchman, speaking of "serious difficulties" but "still surmountable" . He also warned London: "The United Kingdom cannot refuse to prolong the transition and at the same time slow down discussions in certain areas" .
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In reality, the points of friction between the two parties are the same as those which had been identified in March, when the negotiators met in Brussels for a first round of discussions. And as the EU wants progress on all subjects in parallel, the negotiations are skidding dangerously. "The British, explains one close to the file, only want to advance on the subjects that interest them because they are essential to their economy, the trade in goods, customs arrangements and products of origin, transport, nuclear civil ... And they block on fishing, the governance of the agreement, fair competition rules ... They want to keep these subjects in reserve and then use them as leverage in discussions " . No matter the political declaration on the future relationship signed by London in October 2019. "They explain that they are not bound by this declaration" , says a close to the negotiations.
Discussions planned for May and June
Two other rounds of discussions are scheduled for May and June. But, according to some, it seems unlikely that the British will change their negotiating strategy before the July 1 deadline which would allow them to extend the transition period, an option they refuse. "They say to themselves, analyzes a European source, that the Europeans will be ready to review their positions in June" . Perhaps forgetting a little too quickly that, even if the Brexit file remains crucial for the Union, the 27 are mostly absorbed by the coronavirus crisis.
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London responded later in a statement, also speaking of "limited progress" . As in March, London believes that Brussels is offering it a less ambitious trade agreement than those signed with other EU partners. But the proximity between the United Kingdom and the EU forced the bloc to be less generous and more vigilant. As Angela Merkel said, the United Kingdom is called to become "a competitor at the gates of the Union". "This agreement will never be done at the expense of the internal market , " said Michel Barnier on Friday. The negotiators will meet on March 11 for a new round of negotiations.