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Brexit: Transition period not 'a given', says Barnier Brexit: Transition period not 'a given', says Barnier
(about 1 hour later)
EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has warned that a transition period immediately after Brexit in 2019 is "not a given".EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has warned that a transition period immediately after Brexit in 2019 is "not a given".
He outlined continuing disagreements between the UK and EU over issues like freedom of movement during the period.He outlined continuing disagreements between the UK and EU over issues like freedom of movement during the period.
He also said the UK's decision to leave the EU single market and customs union meant border checks at the Irish border were "unavoidable".He also said the UK's decision to leave the EU single market and customs union meant border checks at the Irish border were "unavoidable".
The transition period is expected to span 29 March 2019 to 31 December 2020.The transition period is expected to span 29 March 2019 to 31 December 2020.
Mr Barnier, speaking after a week of technical discussions between civil servants on both sides, said that three "substantial" disagreements remained over the transition period. Mr Barnier's comments potentially throw into doubt the UK's plans for a smooth landing for business after the UK leaves the EU.
These are: Brexit Secretary David Davis said firms need "about two years" with much the same trading rules as they have now to allow them to adjust.
And he had hoped to get a deal with the EU on it by March, so talks could then move on to the bigger issue of the UK's future relationship with the remaining 27 EU nations.
But Mr Barnier, speaking after a week of technical discussions between civil servants on both sides, said that three "substantial" disagreements remained over the transition period.
The areas of disagreement are:
"To be frank, I am surprised by these disagreements. The positions of the EU are very logical, I think," said Mr Barnier."To be frank, I am surprised by these disagreements. The positions of the EU are very logical, I think," said Mr Barnier.
'Not vindictive'
He said the UK must "accept the ineluctable consequences of its decision to leave the EU, to leave its institutions and its policies".He said the UK must "accept the ineluctable consequences of its decision to leave the EU, to leave its institutions and its policies".
"If these disagreements persist the transition is not a given.""If these disagreements persist the transition is not a given."
He also hit back his UK counterpart David Davis's suggestion that the European Commission had been "discourteous" by suggesting in a draft document the UK could see some benefits - such as access to the single market - withdrawn, if disputes during the transition period could not be resolved. Analysis
He said he had "not been in the least discourteous or vindictive" adding: "It's totally foreign to my state of mind." By BBC Political Correspondent Leila Nathoo
"Quite simply we have to construct a withdrawal agreement which is legally sound and does not give rise to any uncertainty in anyone's mind." This was a politely delivered but pointed message to Britain: you can't keep up your cake-and-eat-it approach of vowing to leave the single market and customs union while still wanting no checks at the Irish border.
'Awaiting solutions' And don't bank on a transition period (which was supposed to be the easy bit to agree) as there's still plenty we don't see eye to eye on.
On the thorny issue of the border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, Mr Barnier said there was agreement that a hard border must be avoided, but added: "It is important to tell the truth. Theresa May has been keeping the government's position deliberately vague as her ministers struggle to agree among themselves on exactly how they see Britain's future ties with the EU.
But the bottom line from Brussels today? Time to talk straight and put flesh on the bones.
On Thursday UK Brexit Secretary David Davis criticised the European Commission over a leaked document which suggested any dispute with the UK during the transition period could mean UK benefits, such as access to the single market, being suspended.
Mr Davis said: "I do not think it was in good faith to publish a document with frankly discourteous language and implying that they could arbitrarily terminate in effect the implementation period."
But Mr Barnier said he had "not been in the least discourteous or vindictive" adding: "Quite simply we have to construct a withdrawal agreement which is legally sound and does not give rise to any uncertainty in anyone's mind."
Irish border
On the thorny issue of the border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, the EU's chief negotiator said there was agreement that a hard border must be avoided, but added: "It is important to tell the truth.
"A UK decision to leave the single market and to leave the customs union would make border checks unavoidable.""A UK decision to leave the single market and to leave the customs union would make border checks unavoidable."
He said that there had been agreement that, without an alternative, Northern Ireland would have to maintain "full regulatory alignment" with the EU - and it was important to now start "legally defining how this scenario would work in operational terms". Prime Minister Theresa May has said the UK will leave the single market and the customs union, although she has yet to spell out in detail what she wants instead.
"Time is short - very short - and we haven't a minute to lose if we want to succeed. And we do want to succeed in this orderly withdrawal." She secured an agreement on withdrawal - including avoiding the return of a hard Irish border - in December.
'Time is short'
But that has now got to be translated into a legal text before it can be ratified by the EU - and Mr Barnier said he wanted to get rid of any ambiguity on the Irish border question.
The withdrawal agreement includes a fall back position if the UK leaves without a deal, which proposes "full regulatory alignment" with the EU.
To some this sounds like staying in the single market and customs union - but other options, preferred by the UK, to avoid border checks are still on the table.
Mr Barnier said the UK has accepted the need to discus how to make "full regulatory alignment" work in practice, while the other options are discussed in parallel.
But he added: "Time is short - very short - and we haven't a minute to lose if we want to succeed. And we do want to succeed in this orderly withdrawal."