[ad_1]
The chief negotiator of the European Union for Brexit, Michel Barnier, called the draft agreement "not decisive and crucial" Wednesday afternoon.
Speaking in Brussels, Belgium, after the cabinet of Prime Minister Theresa May ruled in favor of the draft agreement, Barnier said the negotiating parties had now found a solution to the deal. avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland. If the United Kingdom and the European Union do not reach a future agreement before the end of the transition period, they will implement a security solution: create a single customs territory between the EU and the EU. United Kingdom.
"Northern Ireland will therefore remain in the same customs territory as the rest of the United Kingdom. In addition, Northern Ireland would remain aligned with the single market rules essential to avoid a hard border. This concerns agricultural products as well as all products, "said Barnier.
Although Barnier praised the draft agreement as a step forward, he warned that "the way is still long and it may be difficult to guarantee a proper withdrawal … still have work to do. "
Negotiations still needed to address issues such as the protection of intellectual property rights and personal data exchanged before the transition period, he said.
However, he stressed that the United Kingdom would remain "our friend, our partner and our ally".
"I have always said that we are negotiating with the UK, not against the UK, and with respect to its sovereign choice to leave the EU," he said.
Barnier declined to comment when asked what the EU would do if the UK Parliament rejected the draft agreement.
