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EU preparing for post-Brexit trade negotiations with UK, ignoring London
Juncker used the analogy of someone covering the bill after ordering 28 beers at a bar to explain the EU's position The EU is to begin preparing for its post-Brexit trade negotiations with the UK, while refusing to discuss the matter with the British government. An internal draft document suggests the 27 EU countries should discuss trade among themselves while officials in Brussels prepare the details. However the draft text could yet be revised.
EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said a lack of compromise over the UK's financial commitments was impeding progress - saying “they have to pay”.
Speaking in Luxembourg, Mr Juncker used the analogy of someone covering the bill after ordering 28 beers at a bar to explain the EU's position - and added that the Brexit negotiating process was taking longer than expected.
He also dismissed the wrangling over citizens' rights - another sticking point - as “nonsense”, calling on the UK to adopt a “common sense” approach and say “things will stay as they are” after Brexit.
Downing Street said “good progress” was being made in the talks.
As the fifth round of talks ended in Brussels on Thursday, the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said there was “deadlock” over the UK's Brexit bill.
He said there had not been enough progress to move to the next stage of post-Brexit trade talks - as the UK had hoped - but added that he hoped for “decisive progress” by the time of the December summit of the European Council.
The draft paper submitted to the 27 EU states by European Council president Donald Tusk, suggests free trade talks could open in December - should Prime Minister Theresa May improve her offer on what the UK pays when it leaves.
The document calls for talks - about a transition period and the future relationship - to move to the next phase “as soon as possible”. The draft conclusions - to be put to EU leaders next Friday - also call for more concessions from the UK on its financial obligations and the rights of European nationals who wish to stay after Brexit.
The paper confirms Mr Barnier's assessment, that there has not been “sufficient progress” on three key elements of a withdrawal treaty for leaders to agree to open the trade talks now. But it says the leaders would welcome developments on these key issues: the rights of three million EU citizens in the UK, protecting peace in Northern Ireland from the effect of a new border and Britain's outstanding “financial obligations”.
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Read all commentsNo one seems to be asking any questions about the rights of British citizens living in the EU post Brexit or those with properties in the EU. So far everything has been one way. Why would anyone want to stay in a club that routinely threatens its members or anyone who dares to say No?
Oct 15th, 2017 - 10:52 am +1Basically, the EU do not want a dialogue. They want to dictate terms to which the UK MUST agree. In return, what are we offered
Oct 14th, 2017 - 10:38 am 0He also dismissed the wrangling over citizens' rights - another sticking point - as “nonsense”, calling on the UK to adopt a “common sense” approach and say “things will stay as they are” after Brexit.
His “common sense” is that the UK must agree to the supremacy of the ICJ over UK law in the case of disputes....a rather arrogant approach !
His analogy about 28 beers is also nonsense. The EU agreed to order 28 beers but want the UK to pick up the tab although we will not be getting a drink !
Have the EU come out with a verifiable monetary figure that they are demanding from us ?
I have not seen it although figures seem to be plucked from the air or gathered from the throwing of the runes !
Mostly agreed.
Oct 14th, 2017 - 08:59 pm 0There's a simple way to resolve the matter of citizens' rights. And it's common sense. Nationals of 27 foreign countries are residing in a “host” country. What “rights” does international law say they should have? Aren't they limited to less than those of the indigenous citizens of the “host” country? But the EU wants more! British nationals residing in the EU, says the EU, will be limited to where they can move. But EU nationals, says the EU, must be free to come and go as they please. EU nationals,says the EU, must be free to continue claiming welfare benefits for children that have never even been in the UK. And they must also be free to claim for additional children, wherever they might be, as well. I thought these EU nationals had moved to the UK to set up homes, work and raise families. Why should they be allowed to go abroad and do other things for years? So the UK says that, if they go abroad, they have to return within two years. If they are intent on being in their homes, working, raising families in the UK, why would they want to be away for more than two years? And who ever heard of imposing the jurisdiction of a foreign court on an independent sovereign state? I suppose it can be done if you've had a war, invaded and conquered. But then you're looking for the sovereign state to continue the war. And it's the ECJ not the ICJ!
A better analogy about what was “agreed” is joining a book club. The UK decided to join the club. But, when it decides to leave, it doesn't keep on getting books. The contributions stop, the books stop and the “association” ends!
The EU has come up with “claims”. Like projects to build bridges so that wild animals can cross roads. Ladders so that fish can cross rivers. An “environmental” project to paint roofs green. There's also some muttering about pensions for eurocrats. Aren't pensions the responsibility of the employee and employer?
And the British Labour Party is so stupid that it still wants to belong!
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