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| France says Brexit concessions by May make deal 'even harder' | France says Brexit concessions by May make deal 'even harder' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The French government has said Theresa May’s capitulation to Brexiters in parliament since the publication of the Brexit white paper has made the task of negotiating a deal “even harder”. | The French government has said Theresa May’s capitulation to Brexiters in parliament since the publication of the Brexit white paper has made the task of negotiating a deal “even harder”. |
| Arriving in Brussels for a meeting of EU ministers with the bloc’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, France’s European affairs minister, Nathalie Loiseau, said the acceptance by the UK prime minister of amendments backed by hardline Tory leavers had further complicated the already troubled talks. | Arriving in Brussels for a meeting of EU ministers with the bloc’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, France’s European affairs minister, Nathalie Loiseau, said the acceptance by the UK prime minister of amendments backed by hardline Tory leavers had further complicated the already troubled talks. |
| On Monday, in order to avoid an embarrassing defeat in the House of Commons, the government reluctantly accepted four amendments put forward by Jacob Rees-Mogg, the chair of the European Research Group of Conservative MPs, who was seeking to wreck the prime minister’s proposed custom plans. | |
| Loiseau told reporters she feared the result had further damaged the chances of a successful outcome. | Loiseau told reporters she feared the result had further damaged the chances of a successful outcome. |
| “We have of course looked carefully at the white paper, but we have also witnessed that there have been changes asked by the British parliament regarding the future relationship, so we need to know where the British negotiator is on the future relationship, she said. | “We have of course looked carefully at the white paper, but we have also witnessed that there have been changes asked by the British parliament regarding the future relationship, so we need to know where the British negotiator is on the future relationship, she said. |
| “You are mentioning the white paper, but now we know there have been amendments to different provisions in Britain, which makes it even harder for us to discuss with our British partners.” | “You are mentioning the white paper, but now we know there have been amendments to different provisions in Britain, which makes it even harder for us to discuss with our British partners.” |
| The most critical amendment that was passed would ensure HMRC could not collect duties or VAT on goods on behalf of the EU unless there were a reciprocal arrangement, which Brexiters believe kills off May’s plans for a customs arrangement with the EU. | The most critical amendment that was passed would ensure HMRC could not collect duties or VAT on goods on behalf of the EU unless there were a reciprocal arrangement, which Brexiters believe kills off May’s plans for a customs arrangement with the EU. |
| However, Whitehall sources insist the amendment does not do so as neither side would collect tariffs for the other anyway. | However, Whitehall sources insist the amendment does not do so as neither side would collect tariffs for the other anyway. |
| Nevertheless, speaking as he arrived for the talks, Michael Roth, Germany’s Europe minister, said: “I will remain an optimist, but it is hard to remain an optimist in these challenging times … Time is running out, the clock is ticking and that is why I am a little bit nervous.” | Nevertheless, speaking as he arrived for the talks, Michael Roth, Germany’s Europe minister, said: “I will remain an optimist, but it is hard to remain an optimist in these challenging times … Time is running out, the clock is ticking and that is why I am a little bit nervous.” |
| Loiseau said that in the light of the white paper, France was unclear whether May’s government “gets it” on the EU’s refusal to haggle over the indivisibility of the four freedoms of the single market – people, capital, goods and services. | Loiseau said that in the light of the white paper, France was unclear whether May’s government “gets it” on the EU’s refusal to haggle over the indivisibility of the four freedoms of the single market – people, capital, goods and services. |
| The white paper published last week effectively seeks to retain the privileges of single market membership for agricultural and industrial goods alone. | The white paper published last week effectively seeks to retain the privileges of single market membership for agricultural and industrial goods alone. |
| Loiseau said: “You know our position because we have stated it from the start. We want to have an ambitious partnership with Britain, we want to work with Britain on a trade agreement and on internal and external security because it is a very important partner for us. | Loiseau said: “You know our position because we have stated it from the start. We want to have an ambitious partnership with Britain, we want to work with Britain on a trade agreement and on internal and external security because it is a very important partner for us. |
| “But we have to protect the consistency of the single market and we have to make sure we keep our autonomy of decision. | “But we have to protect the consistency of the single market and we have to make sure we keep our autonomy of decision. |
| “We will work on the basis of our principles and see to what extent our British partners fully gets it, including the British parliament.” | “We will work on the basis of our principles and see to what extent our British partners fully gets it, including the British parliament.” |
| Brexit-supporting MPs also successfully forced the government to enshrine in law that the UK will not accept any deal involving a separate customs arrangement for Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK. | Brexit-supporting MPs also successfully forced the government to enshrine in law that the UK will not accept any deal involving a separate customs arrangement for Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK. |
| The issue of avoiding a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland remains the most difficult in the talks. | The issue of avoiding a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland remains the most difficult in the talks. |
| The EU has proposed a “backstop” solution, to be in place until a satisfactory free-trade deal or technological solution is found, under which Northern Ireland effectively stays in the single market and customs union while the rest of the UK leaves. | The EU has proposed a “backstop” solution, to be in place until a satisfactory free-trade deal or technological solution is found, under which Northern Ireland effectively stays in the single market and customs union while the rest of the UK leaves. |
| On Friday, May repeated her belief that no British prime minister could sign up to such an arrangement, a position the EU believes amounts to backsliding on an agreement reached in December. | On Friday, May repeated her belief that no British prime minister could sign up to such an arrangement, a position the EU believes amounts to backsliding on an agreement reached in December. |
| Downing Street wants a UK-wide backstop – anathema to the EU – to ensure there will be need for a border in the Irish Sea. | Downing Street wants a UK-wide backstop – anathema to the EU – to ensure there will be need for a border in the Irish Sea. |
| Loiseau said: “We want a solution which is consistent with the single market and with our rules. In December there was an agreement between our British partner on principles including the backstop if nothing else works. Until now we have not seen another solution that would be proposed and accepted by the 27. | Loiseau said: “We want a solution which is consistent with the single market and with our rules. In December there was an agreement between our British partner on principles including the backstop if nothing else works. Until now we have not seen another solution that would be proposed and accepted by the 27. |
| “So we have to decide on the backstop and if in the future we find something smarter which provides us with no border and [maintains] consistency of the single market, lets decide it. But until now, we have to be serious on the backstop.” | “So we have to decide on the backstop and if in the future we find something smarter which provides us with no border and [maintains] consistency of the single market, lets decide it. But until now, we have to be serious on the backstop.” |
| Barnier will spend two hours with ministers from the other 27 member states presenting his views on the white paper, and updating them on his talks on Thursday evening with the Brexit secretary, Dominic Raab. | Barnier will spend two hours with ministers from the other 27 member states presenting his views on the white paper, and updating them on his talks on Thursday evening with the Brexit secretary, Dominic Raab. |
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