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Brussels – The UK's proposals on its post-Brexit relationship with the EU open the way for "a constructive discussion" but also raise questions, say the Europeans, who urge London to clarify its strategy on the Irish border.
" It is not more time we need, it is choice, decisions, clarity and legal certainty " on the side of the British, insisted Friday the negotiator Head of the European Commission, Michel Barnier, following a meeting in Brussels with the Member States on the state of negotiations.
London and Brussels are expected to reach an agreement by October to organize their divorce and lay the groundwork for their future relationship. But Europeans are worried about the ongoing state of affairs and constant internal questioning of British Prime Minister Theresa May's strategy.
" We have 13 weeks left and our primary objective is to finalize the withdrawal agreement, of which 80% of the proposals are already in green in the text ," Barnier said during the meeting. a press conference at the Commission's headquarters.
But the thorny contentiousness of the Irish border, the main stumbling block of the discussions, still worries the Frenchman.
" We can not afford to waste time on this issue and that is why we invited the United Kingdom to work on the + backstop + next week ", He insists.
The so-called " backstop " solution consists of a " safety net " which would apply, for want of a better negotiated solution between London and Brussels, providing for a regulatory alignment of the British province of Northern Ireland on the Union after the Brexit, to avoid the return of a border " lasts " on the island.
million. Barnier also discussed at length the recent " White Paper " on the future relationship published by Ms. May, which proposes a new " Free Trade Area " with the EU, resting on a set of common rules on goods and the agri-food sector.
– The interest of the EU –
" This White Paper is the result of a very intense internal debate in the United Kingdom, which was necessary ", estimated Mr. Barnier, recognizing that " several elements " paved the way for " a constructive discussion ".
" The proposal for a free trade agreement " should " be the heart of our future economic relationship ," argued Barnier.
But the European negotiator also questioned whether this proposal was " operational ", " in the interests of the EU " and " consistent with the principles "of negotiation posed by the Europeans.
Regarding compliance with the European guidelines, Mr Barnier wonders if the British proposal respects " the integrity of the internal market, the Customs Union and the common commercial policy " .
" Our responsibility is to protect the internal market of the EU " and " the consumers ," he said.
On a second point, that of whether the ideas of London are " operational ", the EU negotiator stressed their complexity, particularly in the customs field, the United Kingdom proposing apply two tariffs for goods at the border depending on whether they are destined for its market or the EU.
" How could the customs authorities verify the final destination of the goods, or is there a major risk of fraud? ", he wondered, also warning against " additional bureaucracy ".
" How could the Union delegate the application of customs rules to a country that is no longer a member of the Union? ," the negotiator said.
Finally, he wondered, without going into detail, whether the British proposals were in the economic interest of the EU.
Ms. May said Friday during a trip to Belfast that her white paper was " a significant development " of the British position and " a coherent whole ".
" It is now up to the EU to react, and not just to fall back on previous positions that have already proved unachievable ," she argued.
Brussels on Thursday called on member states to " intensify " their preparation for all possible scenarios for the Brexit, including that of a " brutal rupture " with London, of more and more feared by the incessant political turmoil undermining the British government.
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