MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
EU warns Britain time is running out to seal a Brexit deal
“We are concerned that there is no clear stance, no clear position from the British. The clock is ticking,” German EU Minister Michael Roth told EU peers in Brussels 
In London, Mrs May spokesperson said London was working on two options for post-Brexit customs cooperation The European Union warned Britain time was running out to seal a Brexit deal this autumn and ensure London does not crash out of the bloc next March adding to pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May. But Mrs May’s spokesman said the “focus is on getting this right” rather than meeting a deadline.
Diplomats and officials in Brussels note little progress in Brexit negotiations since the EU leaders last met, raising doubt about whether the bloc and London would be able to mark another milestone at the next top-level summit on June 28-29.
“We are concerned that there is no clear stance, no clear position from the British. The clock is ticking,” German EU Minister Michael Roth told his EU peers meeting in Brussels. “We need now to be making substantial progress, but that is not happening. What is worrying us in particular is the Northern Ireland question where we expect a substantial accommodation from the British side.”
In London, Mrs May is stuck between a rock and a hard place with staunch Brexit supporters pushing to sever ties with the EU and others advocating keeping close customs cooperation with the bloc to reduce frictions in future trade. Mrs. May’s spokesperson said London was working on two options for post-Brexit customs cooperation.
Under a customs partnership, Britain could collect tariffs on goods entering the country on the EU’s behalf. Under a second idea, for a streamlined customs arrangement, traders on an approved list would be able to cross borders freely with the aid of automated technology.
But the EU has said London must come up with a solution for the Irish border conundrum and highlights that has not happened. Both sides worry that reinstating a physical border between EU-member Ireland and Britain’s province of Northern Ireland – including to manage customs – could revive violence there.
Other outstanding issues include guarantees for expatriate rights, agreeing on security cooperation and trade rules after Brexit, to ensure a deal is in place when Britain leaves in March 2019, and an adaptation period ends at the end of 2020.
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Read all comments“Mericans hate British brand labels on foreign products.”
May 17th, 2018 - 09:18 am +1Is that also why Spain Portugal and all the SA nations think its cool to have clothes made entirely or partially with the Union Jack? And what about the Hawian flag.? Every time we sit down in a restaurant or speak together with our British accents in America we are greeted in a friendly way. We also have many American friends although they are all intelligent Democrats not knuckle draggers. Trump cannot wait to ride in a carriage with our Queen. You can post all the slurs you like but it just makes you sound like hic trailer trash. International trade makes everyone better off, myopic protectionism will weaken the US. As for manufacturing heritage that cant be recovered when Asians will work for a $ a day. What is left in Britain that is worthwhile is either Hi Tech, bulky products, true Brit quality or craft not matched elsewhere.
@TV
May 18th, 2018 - 06:06 pm 0Hear hear. All the Americans I've met in real life have been nice and friendly (and most of them just loooove British accents), I don't know where trolls like Chronic and Hepatia come from.
I sent you an email about a job by the way, not sure how often you check that account.
Euros seem more afraid of the bx than the brits.
May 16th, 2018 - 04:32 pm -1Commenting for this story is now closed.
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