EU tells Britain to make up its mind as Brexit deal 'within reach'

By Gabriela Baczynska and Marine Strauss

 

European Council President Charles Michel reports on last week's European summit during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium October 21, 2020. Olivier Hoslet/Pool via REUTERS

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union told Britain on Wednesday to make up its mind on Brexit, putting the onus back on London to unlock trade talks as the bloc's chief negotiator said an agreement was still within reach with 10 weeks to go.

 

A frustrated European Union and piqued Britain both exhorted each other this week to compromise to avoid a disruptive finale to the five-year Brexit drama that would add to economic pain from the coronavirus crisis.

 

"Time is very short and we stand ready to negotiate 24/7, on all subjects, on legal texts. The UK has a bit of a decision to make and it's their free and sovereign choice," European Council President Charles Michel told the European Parliament.

 

He said Britain's answer would determine its level of access to the EU's internal market of 450 million consumers, adding: "This is just common sense."

 

The EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier told the parliament an agreement was still "within reach".

 

"Time is of the essence ... Along with our British counterparts, we must find solutions to the most difficult areas," Barnier said, in comments that pushed sterling higher.

 

London has this week refused to continue full negotiations, saying the EU must "fundamentally change" its stance.

 

The bloc sees this as bluff by Prime Minister Boris Johnson but has also extended an olive branch by talking up UK sovereignity, as well as the EU's openess to discuss intensively, across the board and on specific legal texts.

 

A UK spokesman said London noted "with interest" Barnier's comments that touch "in a significant way on the issues behind the current difficulties in our talks".

 

Barnier and his UK counterpart David Frost were due to talk on the phone at 1400GMT on Wednesday. 

 

Michel stressed the 27 EU members were ready for an abrupt split without a new agreement to avoid tariffs or quotas. He listed three main sticking points in the negotiations: guaranteeing fishing rights and economic fair play, and agreeing ways to settle future trade disputes.

 

"We don't need words, we need guarantees," he said of fair competition safeguards. "Do our British friends want to regulate state aid and uphold high medical standards? If so, why not commit to them."

 

"DOORS OPEN"

 

Michel called for a "binding, independent arbitration" to redress market distortions swiftly, adding that London's draft new Internal Market Bill - which, if adopted, would undermine Britain's earlier divorce deal with the EU - only strengthened the bloc's resolve to ensure tight policing of any new deal.

 

A deputy head of the bloc's executive European Commission, Maros Sefcovic, also said London must respect its Brexit settlement with the EU regardless of the outcome of trade talks.

 

Michel said losing access to British waters would inflict "extraordinary damage" on the EU's fishing industry and that the bloc was therefore seeking to prolong the status-quo just as London wanted to keep the EU's market open for UK companies.

 

"But the UK wants access to the single market while at the same time being able to diverge from our standards and regulations when it suits them. You can't have your cake and eat it too," Michel said.

 

Following Brexit last March, Britain's current EU trading terms expire in 10 weeks and unfettered commerce can no longer be guaranteed without a new treaty.

 

Keen to avoid any blame, the bloc is ready to negotiate until mid-November but must then ratify any deal in the European Parliament before time is up.

 

"Our doors remain open and will remain open until the last day possible," Barnier said. "But it takes two to reach a deal."

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-10-21

 

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The EU is not calling the shots anymore. The EU knows what they have to do - Boris has told them already.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1350297/brexit-news-latest-Boris-Johnson-Michel-Barnier-EU-UK-trade-talks-fishing-law

They already made up their mind.

 

It is over. Goodbye.

Actually they told them to <deleted> off ! They never have been part of Europe anyway.

HMG's version 

Statement on further UK-EU negotiations: 21 October 2020

6 hours ago, Loiner said:

The EU is not calling the shots anymore. The EU knows what they have to do - Boris has told them already.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1350297/brexit-news-latest-Boris-Johnson-Michel-Barnier-EU-UK-trade-talks-fishing-law

No evidence that Johnson is calling any shots.

17 minutes ago, RayC said:

No evidence that Johnson is calling any shots.

 

why?

probably waiting for the splashes from the three EU drops

 

 

A No- Deal Brexit has become the most plausible outcome for some time now ...

 

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

A frustrated European Union and piqued Britain both exhorted each other this week to compromise to avoid a disruptive finale to the five-year Brexit drama that would add to economic pain from the coronavirus crisis.

 

A ' disruptive finale ' to a long story full of confusion and incompetence is still preferable to a ' never ending story ' ...

Better an end with pain than pain without end ...

A new ' trade deal ' could eventually be found later on ...

Whats Johnsons next negotiation ploy?

Throw himself on the floor and scream until he is sick?

EU getting scared now , good and fc uk to you and your corupt meps 

6 hours ago, Rookiescot said:

Whats Johnsons next negotiation ploy?

Throw himself on the floor and scream until he is sick?

He is sick already. Got all side effects by corona infection. Brain damage is one of those. He could be happy if he did not lose his ability to father more girls around him. Actually they must be blind anyway ......????

 

3 hours ago, Foghorn said:

EU getting scared now , good and fc uk to you and your corupt meps 

Most MEPs and UK MEPs are honest and, among the few that aren't,  I doubt that there are any more 'bad apples' in Brussels compared to Westminster.

Even at this late point, the EU are still trying to control the UK, tying us into their policies forever and forcing us to comply to thier rules.  They still haven't grasped that this is why we needed to leave in the first place.

1 hour ago, DefaultName said:

Even at this late point, the EU are still trying to control the UK, tying us into their policies forever and forcing us to comply to thier rules.  They still haven't grasped that this is why we needed to leave in the first place.

When you want to do business with the EU , it must be according the laws of the EU, and when disputes, under the courts of the EU. As with any country. Only the British still think, Britannia does not only rule the waves, but also the land around it.

1 minute ago, puipuitom said:

When you want to do business with the EU , it must be according the laws of the EU, and when disputes, under the courts of the EU. As with any country. Only the British still think, Britannia does not only rule the waves, but also the land around it.

We don't have any land around us, only water, we are an island. The rest of your post is nonsense regarding Brexit negotiations...

Just a 10 weeks, and then the UK is out of all inter-EU exchanges of information: As a "food" man: 

- Food safety under EFSA

- food problems under RASFF, see https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/portal/?event=SearchForm&cleanSearch=1

- chemicals under Reach

- information about criminals 

- and a LOT more.

BRC certifications no longer valid, so all food exporters have to get new IFS certificates.

Same for chemicals companies like BASF etc

  "The chemicals company BASF, which has six sites in the UK, has said Brexit will add a £1bn of costs to its business, even if there is a deal, potentially threatening the future of some of its operations and those in supply chains that use their chemicals in paint, coatings and agriculture.

This is because it faces £50,000-£60,000 in additional costs to go through a new compliance process for each of its 1,300 unique chemicals, because the UK is coming out of the EU’s Reach regulation system ".

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/oct/21/red-wall-areas-facing-brexit-job-shock

 

This all aside of import duties: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/taric/taric_consultation.jsp?Lang=en

6 minutes ago, puipuitom said:

Just a 10 weeks, and then the UK is out of all inter-EU exchanges of information: As a "food" man: 

- Food safety under EFSA

- food problems under RASFF, see https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/portal/?event=SearchForm&cleanSearch=1

- chemicals under Reach

- information about criminals 

- and a LOT more.

BRC certifications no longer valid, so all food exporters have to get new IFS certificates.

Same for chemicals companies like BASF etc

  "The chemicals company BASF, which has six sites in the UK, has said Brexit will add a £1bn of costs to its business, even if there is a deal, potentially threatening the future of some of its operations and those in supply chains that use their chemicals in paint, coatings and agriculture.

This is because it faces £50,000-£60,000 in additional costs to go through a new compliance process for each of its 1,300 unique chemicals, because the UK is coming out of the EU’s Reach regulation system ".

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/oct/21/red-wall-areas-facing-brexit-job-shock

 

This all aside of import duties: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/taric/taric_consultation.jsp?Lang=en

Yes, we are quite looking forward to the end of that 10 weeks....

20 hours ago, ukrules said:

They already made up their mind.

 

It is over. Goodbye.

This is turning into the longest goodbye in history ????.

 

And yet they are still negotiating, with the latest news being that both sides are saying they are close to a deal and are willing to compromise some more.

15 hours ago, RayC said:

No evidence that Johnson is calling any shots.

 

Sending Barnier back home with his instructions was a significant shot.

Allowing him to return if he brings a fundamental change in approach is an EU humiliating shot sent by Boris.

Giving Macon just two weeks to back down is another shot by Boris.

Sometimes when I get depressed about the Trump reality TV show, I read a Brexit story.

 

Never fails to lighten my mood about the nonsense in the US! LOL

36 minutes ago, puipuitom said:

When you want to do business with the EU , it must be according the laws of the EU, and when disputes, under the courts of the EU. As with any country. Only the British still think, Britannia does not only rule the waves, but also the land around it.

Yes I agree as regards a relatively small country like the UK. However, you will note that when the US were in negotiations with the EU, the US insisted that all disputes be settled in US courts. The EU told them to take a running jump. Negotiations have stalled I believe.

 

It is simple, if the UK want access to the single market then they will have to abide by the rules and regs of that market. There are sadly some people around,  whose brains are tiny enough,  to let them believe that the UK is the equal of the EU. In trade terms for a start,  it would be obvious to a blind wombat, that it isn't.

 

I still expect a no deal Brexit, though I would be glad to be proved wrong. Too many friends of Boris and the Tory grandees have shorted the pound depending on it, so we are told. Again I would like to be proved wrong. 

23 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Michel called for a "binding, independent arbitration" to redress market distortions swiftly, adding that London's draft new Internal Market Bill - which, if adopted, would undermine Britain's earlier divorce deal with the EU - only strengthened the bloc's resolve to ensure tight policing of any new deal.

Belgian Waffle

23 hours ago, Loiner said:

The EU is not calling the shots anymore. The EU knows what they have to do - Boris has told them already.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1350297/brexit-news-latest-Boris-Johnson-Michel-Barnier-EU-UK-trade-talks-fishing-law

"But the UK wants access to the single market while at the same time being able to diverge from our standards and regulations when it suits them. You can't have your cake and eat it too," Michel said.

2 hours ago, DefaultName said:

Even at this late point, the EU are still trying to control the UK, tying us into their policies forever and forcing us to comply to thier rules.  They still haven't grasped that this is why we needed to leave in the first place.

leaving it's already agreed upon, the problem is  they want to keep the same advantages as they had when they were members, a free trade deal, they are dreamers, sadly enough it appears  you didn't get it either

2 hours ago, DefaultName said:

Even at this late point, the EU are still trying to control the UK, tying us into their policies forever and forcing us to comply to thier rules.  They still haven't grasped that this is why we needed to leave in the first place.

the below comment should help you what @puipuitomwrote

 

"But the UK wants access to the single market while at the same time being able to diverge from our standards and regulations when it suits them. You can't have your cake and eat it too," Michel said.

 

 

 

 

They always refer to access "....EU's internal market of 450 million consumers...." as being the concern.

 

If UK produces anything the 450 million want they will buy it regardless of price, tariff, whatever.  It is called demand and the supply will be provided to meet any demand.  Hiding behind 'we only want to make it easier for you to take our money' seems disingenuous. 

6 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

leaving it's already agreed upon, the problem is  they want to keep the same advantages as they had when they were members, a free trade deal, they are dreamers, maybe you didn't get it either

The EU has deals with others that the EU is not interested in offering the UK, when the EU stops having hissy fits, stamping of feet, arguing amongst themselves, then we may get somewhere....Plus, the EU wants to sell their stuff to the UK...????

The German motor manufacturers are sh_tting themselves at the mo over a no deal...

1 minute ago, 86Tiger said:

 

 

They always refer to access "....EU's internal market of 450 million consumers...." as being the concern.

 

If UK produces anything the 450 million want they will buy it regardless of price, tariff, whatever.  It is called demand and the supply will be provided to meet any demand.  Hiding behind 'we only want to make it easier for you to take our money' seems disingenuous. 

please tell us what the UK has that it's so special and the EU can't find it somewhere else..... maybe fish and chips 555

1 minute ago, Mavideol said:

please tell us what the UK has that it's so special and the EU can't find it somewhere else..... maybe fish and chips 555

Cheshire Cheese....

2 minutes ago, transam said:

The EU has deals with others that the EU is not interested in offering the UK, when the EU stops having hissy fits, stamping of feet, arguing amongst themselves, then we may get somewhere....Plus, the EU wants to sell their stuff to the UK...????

the EU has deals with whom they want and each deal is negotiated accordingly/individually, why you keep insisting the EU HAS to make a deal with the UK that is in some ways similar to some deal the EU did with other country, how hard is it for you to understand that, oh I know, just another reason for your famous confused or sad emojis, go ahead, have a blast