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EU Brexit chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, carefully dissociated Theresa May's white paper after a meeting of the 27 member states and warned that the prime minister had not offered to Brussels a solid basis for negotiations. Reflecting on the stability of Prime Minister May, Barnier insisted that he would be polite, but went on to illustrate in blatant terms how the UK's demands were at odds with the red lines and the founding principles of the EU. Still responding to Theresa May's White Paper of Brexit, Barnier spoke of concerns over smuggling, bureaucracy and the competitive disadvantage of European companies
"I do not negotiate, of course, on the basis of the White Paper" Barnier has concluded, after a long meeting of EU ministers in Brussels
The former French minister then hinted that the position of the United Kingdom seemed far from settled: "This white pope This is the result of a very intense debate in the UK that was needed.Everyone can see that this debate is not over. "
The British Government wants to keep the Kingdom United in the single market of EU goods on the basis of a common rule book.
unprecedented customs system, where the United Kingdom would receive EU rights, while having the freedom to set different tariffs on goods destined for the British market.
Barnier says that this "facilitated customs arrangement" posed practical, legal, economic and budgetary questions. 19659002] In outlining the questions he had posed to Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab at their first meeting on Thursday, Barnier said: "How can customs services check the final destination of the goods, so choose the right one? "Is there not a major risk of fraud and what are the additional financial and administrative costs for companies?" The question is vital for the EU because customs revenue goes directly to the budget. from the EU
Barnier also asked if a third country could collect EU customs without being subject to EU control.For this reason alone, the diplomats of the EU EU says privately that UK plan could never be accepted
The EU is also deeply concerned that the customs plan would give foreign companies a competitive advantage over their European rivals, if the Britishand other countries use the UK as a way to avoid higher European tariffs. "Are the British proposals in the interest of the EU," Barnier asked. "Our goal is to protect the interests of the EU in these negotiations."
Referring to a position paper of the EU that excluded the selection of elements of membership in the bloc, Barnier made it clear that he believed the UK violated the red lines from the EU.
"I wish to work on the basis of the European Council guidelines that you may wish to re-read, which were published in March and which were very specific," he said. "Some elements [of the white paper] seem to contradict the directives of the EU Council, the heads of government and state, namely the indivisibility of the four freedoms and the integrity of the single market. "
"There is not much reason for the EU to run the risk of weakening the single market," added Barnier. "This is our main asset." Asked about the Prime Minister's refusal to sign the EU's "backstop" solution to avoid a tough border on the island of Ireland. She reiterated Friday morning in Belfast, Barnier insisted that the United Kingdom had adhered to the principles.
The safety net, which would keep Northern Ireland in the union customs and the single market under the enter into force if a free trade agreement or a tailor-made technological solution was not available after the Brexit.
Barnier said: "Let me just recall the Prime Minister Theresa May's pledge to support President Tusk. in March. Respect for this commitment is essential … We are working on the basis of what was agreed in May with Theresa May – with Theresa May. "
Barnier's judicial deconstruction of British paper came after the French government announced the capitulation of May." In parliament, since the publication of the Brexit White Paper, the negotiation of an agreement was even more Difficult.
Arrival in Brussels of a meeting of EU Ministers with Barnier, the French Minister for European Affairs, Nathalie Loiseau, said the British Prime Minister of amendments backed by conservative extremists had complicated
On Monday, in order to avoid an embarrassing defeat in the House of Commons, the government reluctantly accepted four amendments proposed by Jacob Rees Mogg, Chairman of the European Research Group of Deputies conservatives, who sought to defeat the customary plans proposed by the Prime Minister.
she feared that the res This has further affected the chances of success.
"We of course looked carefully at the white paper, but we also found that the British parliament asked for changes regarding future relations, she said:" You mention the white paper, but we now know that there have been amendments to various provisions in Britain, which makes it even more difficult for us. "
The most important amendment that was passed would guarantee that HMRC could charge fees or VAT on property in the name of the EU only if there was a reciprocal agreement, which according to the Brexiters kills the plans for May
However, Whitehall sources insist that the amendment does not do so because neither party would charge fees for the other anyway .
Michael Roth, Germany & # 39; s The European Minister said: "I will remain optimistic, but it is difficult to remain optimistic in these difficult times … Time is running out, time is running out and that's why I'm a little nervous. "
Loiseau In light of the white paper, France does not know if May's government "understands" the EU's refusal to haggle the indivisibility of the four freedoms of the single market – the people, the capital, goods and services.
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