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Brexit deal: talks to move on to trade after Theresa May says 'no hard border' in Ireland – live Brexit deal: Tusk says transition period next hurdle after Theresa May says 'no hard border' in Ireland – live
(35 minutes later)
The Irish Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, is holding a press conference right now. He says: “We have achieved all that we set out to achieve.” He said the parameters on the “Irish issues” had been set - and they were met.
Varadkar paraphrases Winston Churchill, saying: “This is not the end, but it is the end of the beginning.”
Everyone born in Northern Ireland will retain their right to EU citizenship, he confirms.
Here is the full text of Donald Tusk’s speech:
This morning, I received the confirmation from our negotiators that sufficient progress has been made. This allows me to present the draft guidelines for the December European Council, which I have just sent to the leaders. My proposals are the following.
First, we should start negotiating the transition period, so that people and businesses have clarity about their situation. As you know, the UK has asked for a transition of about two years, while remaining part of the Single Market and Customs Union. And we will be ready to discuss this, but naturally, we have our conditions. I propose that during this period, the UK will respect:
the whole of EU law, including new law;
it will respect budgetary commitments;
it will respect judicial oversight;
and of course, all the related obligations.
the whole of EU law, including new law;
it will respect budgetary commitments;
it will respect judicial oversight;
and of course, all the related obligations.
Clearly, within the transition period following the UK’s withdrawal, EU decision-making will continue among the 27 member states, without the UK.
All of what I have said seems to be the only reasonable solution, and it is in the interest of all our citizens that it is agreed as soon as possible. This is why I will ask the EU leaders to mandate our negotiator to start these talks immediately.
Second, we want to begin discussions with the UK in order to explore the British vision of its future relationship with the EU. So far, we have heard a number of various ideas. We need more clarity on how the UK sees our future relations, after it has left the Single Market and Customs Union. I therefore propose to mandate our negotiator to start exploratory talks with our British friends about this problem. On our side, we are ready to start preparing a close EU-UK partnership in trade, but also in the fight against terrorism and international crime as well as security, defence and foreign policy. For this to happen, the European Council will have to adopt additional guidelines next year.
While being satisfied with today’s agreement, which is obviously the personal success of Prime Minister Theresa May, let us remember that the most difficult challenge is still ahead. We all know that breaking up is hard. But breaking up and building a new relation is much harder. Since the Brexit referendum, a year and a half has passed. So much time has been devoted to the easier part of the task. And now, to negotiate a transition arrangement and the framework for our future relationship, we have de facto less than a year. Thank you
As previously noted, Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon has already responded to the announcement on Twitter, cautioning that “things now get really tough” and repeating her warning that “any special arrangements for Northern Ireland must be available to other UK nations”.
At first minister’s questions yesterday, Sturgeon blasted Theresa May’s government as “dissembling, mendacious and totally, totally incompetent” and challenged Jeremy Corbyn to “get his act together” to champion a Commons majority in favour of staying within the single market and the customs union.
Earlier in the week, she argued that Scotland would a “doubly disadvantaged” by special status for Northern Ireland and hinted that such a scenario would strengthen the case for independence.
The Scottish Tory leader, Ruth Davidson, who warned May earlier this week that her draft deal for Northern Ireland risked bolstering Sturgeon’s calls for independence, has issued a brief and brisk comment on Twitter:
Good news on moving to phase 2 in EU negotiations. Now, let's talk trade.
Political reaction to the news is starting to come in. Perhaps unsurprisingly, members of the cabinet are in congratulatory mood:
1/2 Delighted we've reached an agreement which will give both Europeans here in the UK and British citizens in the EU binding guarantees about their residence rights.
2/2 I hope this will now give those concerned real peace of mind. We are building a new system so that the application process will be smooth and simple. For now, EU citizens in the UK, do not need to do anything.
Today is a big step forward in delivering Brexit. Been a lot of work but glad the Commission have now recommended that sufficient progress has been reached. https://t.co/FktDUgtEoJ
Citizens can now be confident about the rights they enjoy; we should now move forward to discuss our future relationship with the EU on issues like trade and security.
Today's announcement in Brussels is a boost for Britain's economy. Now let's conclude a trade deal that supports Britain's jobs, businesses and prosperity.
However, outside the government, scepticism remains:
Move to phase 2 of talks good - but devil is in the detail and things now get really tough. If #Brexit is happening (wish it wasn’t) staying in single market & customs union is only sensible option. And any special arrangements for NI must be available to other UK nations.
Fair play that a way through, for now, has been agreed. BUT, the impossibility of PM’s red lines against demands of UK’s needs and wants will keep re-emerging. https://t.co/ShFm5I6gVy
This is the most worrying part of this last week - Government held to ransom by the DUP https://t.co/3Goe30y7pe
Relieved we're onto phase two, but notice people with opposing viewpoints on longer-term relationship with EU are cheering the same section of text. Creative ambiguity means big battles still ahead.
The MEP and arch-Brexiter, Nigel Farage, is unimpressed:
A deal in Brussels is good news for Mrs May as we can now move on to the next stage of humiliation.
Senior Brexiteer tells me 'it's not perfect, but it's enough, and they have listened'
Here’s a recap of the moment Jean-Claude Juncker confirmed enough progress had been made to proceed to the second phase of negotiations.
The DUP sets out the six concessions it says it managed to secure during negotiations:
6 points the DUP say they have achieved in their negotiations pic.twitter.com/EUeOkPCk1V
The party’s leader, Arlene Foster, called it “substantial progress”. Her negotiations with Theresa May went into the early hours of Friday, but she made it clear that she believed there was “still more work to be done”.
Secondly, Tusk wants to discuss the future relationship. He says “various ideas” have been floated, but the UK needs to provide more clarity on what it wants. He says he wants a close partnership on trade, but also in other policy areas - such as fighting terrorism and other crime.Secondly, Tusk wants to discuss the future relationship. He says “various ideas” have been floated, but the UK needs to provide more clarity on what it wants. He says he wants a close partnership on trade, but also in other policy areas - such as fighting terrorism and other crime.
He says today’s agreement is a “personal success” for Theresa May. But he has a warning: “The most difficult challenge is still ahead”. Tusk tells reporters:He says today’s agreement is a “personal success” for Theresa May. But he has a warning: “The most difficult challenge is still ahead”. Tusk tells reporters:
We all know that breaking up is hard. But breaking up and building a new relation is much harder.We all know that breaking up is hard. But breaking up and building a new relation is much harder.
And, to finish, he delivers a stinging rebuke to the UK side, noting that more than a year has passed since the referendum result.And, to finish, he delivers a stinging rebuke to the UK side, noting that more than a year has passed since the referendum result.
So much time has been devoted to the easier part of the task. And now, to negotiate a transition arrangement and a framework for our future relationship, we have de facto less than a year.So much time has been devoted to the easier part of the task. And now, to negotiate a transition arrangement and a framework for our future relationship, we have de facto less than a year.
The president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, is speaking now.The president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, is speaking now.
He confirms he has received the recommendation that talks should move on. First, he says, we should start negotiating the transition period. He says the UK has requested that should last two years. In return for that, the UK will need to respect EU laws - including new laws, budgetary decisions and judiciary oversight.He confirms he has received the recommendation that talks should move on. First, he says, we should start negotiating the transition period. He says the UK has requested that should last two years. In return for that, the UK will need to respect EU laws - including new laws, budgetary decisions and judiciary oversight.
The European Council is the body that comprises the heads of state and government that received - and needed to formally act upon - the European Commission’s recommendation to move on to the next stage of negotiations. Tusk indicates that formality has now been undertaken.The European Council is the body that comprises the heads of state and government that received - and needed to formally act upon - the European Commission’s recommendation to move on to the next stage of negotiations. Tusk indicates that formality has now been undertaken.
As my colleague Dan Roberts points out, that passage means the UK has ensured it has a clause in there that makes clear Northern Ireland will not be decoupled from the rest of the country.As my colleague Dan Roberts points out, that passage means the UK has ensured it has a clause in there that makes clear Northern Ireland will not be decoupled from the rest of the country.
That would seem to tie in with Arlene Foster’s comments earlier this morning that she had been assured there would be “no red line down the Irish Sea”.That would seem to tie in with Arlene Foster’s comments earlier this morning that she had been assured there would be “no red line down the Irish Sea”.
The UK remains committed to "full alignment with the rules of the customs union and the single market" but has added a clause to spell out that this won't just mean Northern Ireland on its own. pic.twitter.com/ZeYI9AinmlThe UK remains committed to "full alignment with the rules of the customs union and the single market" but has added a clause to spell out that this won't just mean Northern Ireland on its own. pic.twitter.com/ZeYI9Ainml
Theresa May has promised there will be no barriers “north, south, east or west” between Ireland and Northern Ireland with “full alignment” between the two. Ireland’s deputy prime minister, Simon Coveney, said:Theresa May has promised there will be no barriers “north, south, east or west” between Ireland and Northern Ireland with “full alignment” between the two. Ireland’s deputy prime minister, Simon Coveney, said:
We have a good outcome, this has been a difficult negotiation, I hope both sides are happy with what we have. It puts a floor in terms of what’s possible in the outcome.We have a good outcome, this has been a difficult negotiation, I hope both sides are happy with what we have. It puts a floor in terms of what’s possible in the outcome.
The relevant passage - paragraph 48 - of the joint report reads:The relevant passage - paragraph 48 - of the joint report reads:
The United Kingdom remains committed to protecting North-South cooperation and to its guarantee of avoiding a hard border. Any future arrangements must be compatible with these overarching requirements. The United Kingdom’s intention is to achieve these objectives through the overall EU-UK relationship. Should this not be possible, the United Kingdom will propose specific solutions to address the unique circumstances of the island of Ireland. In the absence of agreed solutions, the United Kingdom will maintain full alignment with those rules of the Internal Market and the Customs Union which, now or in the future, support North-South cooperation, the all- island economy and the protection of the 1998 Agreement.The United Kingdom remains committed to protecting North-South cooperation and to its guarantee of avoiding a hard border. Any future arrangements must be compatible with these overarching requirements. The United Kingdom’s intention is to achieve these objectives through the overall EU-UK relationship. Should this not be possible, the United Kingdom will propose specific solutions to address the unique circumstances of the island of Ireland. In the absence of agreed solutions, the United Kingdom will maintain full alignment with those rules of the Internal Market and the Customs Union which, now or in the future, support North-South cooperation, the all- island economy and the protection of the 1998 Agreement.
Asked by RTE what was different in the text between Monday and now, Coveney said paragraph 50 was entirely new. It reads:Asked by RTE what was different in the text between Monday and now, Coveney said paragraph 50 was entirely new. It reads:
In the absence of agreed solutions, as set out in the previous paragraph, the United Kingdom will ensure that no new regulatory barriers develop between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, unless, consistent with the 1998 Agreement, the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly agree that distinct arrangements are appropriate for Northern Ireland. In all circumstances, the United Kingdom will continue to ensure the same unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s businesses to the whole of the United Kingdom internal market.In the absence of agreed solutions, as set out in the previous paragraph, the United Kingdom will ensure that no new regulatory barriers develop between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, unless, consistent with the 1998 Agreement, the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly agree that distinct arrangements are appropriate for Northern Ireland. In all circumstances, the United Kingdom will continue to ensure the same unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s businesses to the whole of the United Kingdom internal market.
May has now moved on to her meeting with Donald Tusk, the president of the European council. The council now also needs to stamp its approval on the deal. We’re expecting to hear from Tusk at around 7.30am GMT.May has now moved on to her meeting with Donald Tusk, the president of the European council. The council now also needs to stamp its approval on the deal. We’re expecting to hear from Tusk at around 7.30am GMT.
I’m now handing the blog over to my colleague Kevin Rawlinson, who’ll bring you the Tusk words, along with the rest of the day’s fallout.I’m now handing the blog over to my colleague Kevin Rawlinson, who’ll bring you the Tusk words, along with the rest of the day’s fallout.
Thanks for starting early with us, and do stick around.Thanks for starting early with us, and do stick around.
The text of the agreement sets out what has been agreed on the three key issues of phase one of the talks: citizens’ rights, the Irish border and the divorce bill.The text of the agreement sets out what has been agreed on the three key issues of phase one of the talks: citizens’ rights, the Irish border and the divorce bill.
Here’s what Theresa May had to say this morning on these, via Press Association:Here’s what Theresa May had to say this morning on these, via Press Association:
The prime minister said that the agreement would guarantee the rights of three million EU citizens in the UK “enshrined in UK law and enforced by British courts”.The prime minister said that the agreement would guarantee the rights of three million EU citizens in the UK “enshrined in UK law and enforced by British courts”.
She said that it included a financial settlement which was “fair to the British taxpayer” and a guarantee that there will be “no hard border” between Northern Ireland and the Republic, preserving the “constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom”.She said that it included a financial settlement which was “fair to the British taxpayer” and a guarantee that there will be “no hard border” between Northern Ireland and the Republic, preserving the “constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom”.
At the press conference, May gave little detail of how these positions had been arrived at. Here is the link where the nitty-gritty – along with a number of yet-to-be determined questions – can be found.At the press conference, May gave little detail of how these positions had been arrived at. Here is the link where the nitty-gritty – along with a number of yet-to-be determined questions – can be found.
Simon Coveney, Ireland’s deputy prime minister, and Helen McEntee, the minister for European affairs, will hold a press conference in response to today’s announcement at 8am, around an hour from now.Simon Coveney, Ireland’s deputy prime minister, and Helen McEntee, the minister for European affairs, will hold a press conference in response to today’s announcement at 8am, around an hour from now.
Here is the link to the text of the agreement.Here is the link to the text of the agreement.
And a key line on Northern Ireland:And a key line on Northern Ireland:
The United Kingdom also recalls its commitment to the avoidance of a hard border, including any physical infrastructure or related checks and controls.The United Kingdom also recalls its commitment to the avoidance of a hard border, including any physical infrastructure or related checks and controls.
Here’s what the European commission says:Here’s what the European commission says:
If the European Council (Article 50) considers that sufficient progress has been made, the negotiators of the European Commission and of the United Kingdom Government will begin drafting a Withdrawal Agreement based on Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union on the basis of the Joint Report and the outcome of the negotiations on other withdrawal issues.If the European Council (Article 50) considers that sufficient progress has been made, the negotiators of the European Commission and of the United Kingdom Government will begin drafting a Withdrawal Agreement based on Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union on the basis of the Joint Report and the outcome of the negotiations on other withdrawal issues.
In line with the Guidelines of 29 April 2017, and once the Member States agree with the Commission’s assessment, the Commission stands ready to begin work immediately on any possible transitional arrangements and to start exploratory discussions on the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom.In line with the Guidelines of 29 April 2017, and once the Member States agree with the Commission’s assessment, the Commission stands ready to begin work immediately on any possible transitional arrangements and to start exploratory discussions on the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom.
In other words: phase two.In other words: phase two.
May, questioned by a reporter, denies the text implies any kind of special status for Northern Ireland.May, questioned by a reporter, denies the text implies any kind of special status for Northern Ireland.
She says they might need to look for special arrangements because of the “unique circumstances” of the island of Ireland.She says they might need to look for special arrangements because of the “unique circumstances” of the island of Ireland.
She says there won’t be a hard border but the deal will maintain the integrity of the internal market in the UK.She says there won’t be a hard border but the deal will maintain the integrity of the internal market in the UK.