10:04 – London proposes a "free trade zone" with the EU for post-Brexit



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Free Trade Area with the EU and New Customs Model: Theresa May presented on Friday her vision of the future relationship she wants with the European Union, ensuring that her ministers, very divided on Brexit, had managed to to a "common position"

This proposal was long awaited by the Europeans, tired of the procrastination of the British government on the content of the negotiations on the divorce from the EU, planned in less than nine months. 19659002] The British plan, which confirms the end of the free movement of people, was unveiled in the form of a statement issued after an executive marathon meeting at Checkers, the First Nations' country residence. British ministers, 70 km north-west of London

"Our proposal would create a free trade area between the United Kingdom and the EU with a set of common rules for industrial goods and agricultural products" , says Theresa May in this document, Downing Street specifying that the service sector would be the subject of "different arrangements."

"We have also agreed a new customs model favorable to companies with the freedom to to conclude new trade agreements around the world, "added the Conservative Prime Minister.

British Executive says these proposals will prevent the return of a physical border between Ireland and Northern Ireland this is the main stumbling block to the ongoing negotiations and a major concern for the inhabitants of the island.

In this project, London also stresses the need to "intensify" the preparatory work to cope with to all possible scenarios – in particular that of a possible exit of the EU without agreement with Brussels, which the companies fear.

Theresa May, who will publish next week A white paper detailing its objectives further states that this proposal is the result of a "common position" by members of his government, whose divisions on the directions to give to Brexit had made fear the worst for Friday's meeting in Checkers.

Hardly published, the project of Theresa May already aroused critical reactions on the side of Eurosceptics. "We now see the true face of Theresa May, which is a bad plan for the UK," said John Longworth, co-chair of the pro-Brexit Leave Means Leave movement. 19659002] – 'Step by Step' –

It remains to be seen what will be the reaction of Brussels, who would like to see the discussions finally progress.

"The sooner we will have a precise British proposal on the Irish border, the better will be the chances of finalizing the Brexit negotiations this year, "said President of the European Council Donald Tusk this week

On Friday, Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, said he was ready to adapt his offer "and hopes that the white paper will resolve" the internal political debate in the United Kingdom and negotiations with us. "

Faced with the risk of blockage, the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, whose country holds the rotating presidency EU, Thursday raised the possibility of extending negotiations. On Friday, however, he stressed that this would require unanimous agreement of the 27 EU members.

At his side, the head of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said: "we want to stick to the We will work step by step. "

The British proposal should also be closely scrutinized by companies, which also did not hide their discomfort this week. Patience "is exhausted," said Adam Marshall, general manager of the British Chambers of Commerce.

Tom Enders, the executive chairman of the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, was pessimistic about the outcome of negotiations . "Whether hard, soft, light or clean, (Brexit) will cause damage to the aviation industry and others, and will cause damage in the UK," he said. [19659018] © 2018 AFP. All rights of reproduction and representation reserved. All information reproduced in this section (news, photos, logos) is protected by intellectual property rights held by AFP. Therefore, none of this information may be reproduced, modified, reposted, translated, exploited commercially or reused in any way without the prior written consent of AFP.

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