The disappointment revolves around the summit’s formal conclusions. Initially, the text stated that EU negotiator Michel Barnier would intensify talks with the British in the coming weeks. But that sentence was broken today. It now says that the EU is continuing talks with the United Kingdom.
In addition, Frost is angry that only the British should take steps. In a hypothermic tone, he tweeted that it is an unusual way to negotiate this way.
Level playing field
EU leaders spoke today about Brexit for the first time in a long time. The negotiations have recently been left to Barnier, who has repeatedly stated that things are not going well.
Beforehand, the government leaders were unanimous in their comments. French President Macron, for example, called Brexit not the fault of Europe, but of the British people. “We have not opted for Brexit.” Prime Minister Rutte is also on this line: “It is not Europe, we do everything we can.”
One of the main problems at the meeting is the level playing field that needs to be created for European and British companies. The intention of the EU is to prevent European companies from being outcompeted.
Negotiations on this will continue on Monday, Barnier said. He has not received a new mandate from the heads of government and therefore has to make do with the belts he has had for almost a year. “It is fine that the United Kingdom wants to be sovereign on January 1, but that should not be at the expense of our companies,” he said militantly at the press conference.
How are the fish?
Another problem, with less than a hundred days to go until January 1, is fish. Although it is a small sector, it is one of the biggest stumbling blocks. And that has been the case for ages. “There is not a single meter of movement in the fish,” sighed a senior EU diplomat.
For the time being, especially the countries on the North Sea, including the Netherlands and France, are resisting a deal. The EU continues to require fishermen to also fish in British waters. Moreover, they do not want to argue every year about how many quotas of which fish species can be caught in those waters.
Tomorrow, British Prime Minister Johnson will respond from London. He previously called this EU summit a last chance for an agreement.
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