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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Brexit: Transition period not 'a given', says Barnier | Brexit: Transition period not 'a given', says Barnier |
| (35 minutes 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's comments potentially throw into doubt the UK's plans for a smooth landing for business after the UK leaves the EU. | Mr Barnier's comments potentially throw into doubt the UK's plans for a smooth landing for business after the UK leaves the EU. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 main sticking points | |
| "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. |
| 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." |
| Barnier's message to British negotiators | |
| By BBC Political Correspondent Leila Nathoo | By BBC Political Correspondent Leila Nathoo |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. | But the bottom line from Brussels today? Time to talk straight and put flesh on the bones. |
| Labour blames 'cabinet in-fighting' | |
| Labour's Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the prime minister should should take immediate action to avoid a "cliff-edge" for business. | |
| "Theresa May must end the infighting within her cabinet, drop her reckless redlines and accept Labour's proposals for a transitional deal. | "Theresa May must end the infighting within her cabinet, drop her reckless redlines and accept Labour's proposals for a transitional deal. |
| "That means seeking to remain in a customs union with the EU and within the single market during that period." | "That means seeking to remain in a customs union with the EU and within the single market during that period." |
| Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable, who wants a referendum on any final deal with the EU, said the government "has no plan, no strategy, and no idea". | Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable, who wants a referendum on any final deal with the EU, said the government "has no plan, no strategy, and no idea". |
| Courtesy row: Davis v Barnier | |
| Mr Barnier hit back at comments by David Davis, who described a leaked EU document suggesting any dispute with the UK during the transition period could mean UK benefits, such as access to the single market, being suspended as "frankly discourteous". | Mr Barnier hit back at comments by David Davis, who described a leaked EU document suggesting any dispute with the UK during the transition period could mean UK benefits, such as access to the single market, being suspended as "frankly discourteous". |
| The EU negotiator 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." | The EU negotiator 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." |
| Is a hard Irish border 'inevitable'? | |
| 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. | 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. |
| "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." |
| 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. | 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. |
| She secured an agreement on withdrawal - including avoiding the return of a hard Irish border - in December. | She secured an agreement on withdrawal - including avoiding the return of a hard Irish border - in December. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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." | 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." |