BREXIT BOMBSHELL: EU warns bloc to step up NO DEAL preparation as little progress made
THE European Council has warned member states to step up their preparations for a no deal Brexit as the European Union’s leaders bemoan the lack of progress made on the Irish border conundrum by the United Kingdom’s negotiation team.
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The Council publication says EU members should “step up their work on preparedness at all levels and for all outcomes”, in a leaked progress report ahead of the June 28-29 summit.
Brexit will likely only a be a “footnote” on the EU summit agenda when the bloc’s leaders travel to Brussels to discuss a number of pressing European issues, according to one EU insider.
While many have dismissed the June meet-up as a deadline for the British negotiators to provide a working solution for the Irish border backstop, the EU27 have bemoaned the lack of “substantial progress and demanded the UK “intensifies efforts” in the area.
Theresa May pledged to avoid a hard border emerging on the island of Ireland as a result of Brexit. Unconvinced by the Prime Minister’s promise, Brussels said a backstop clause must be included in the final withdrawal agreement.
The European Council expresses its concern that no substantial progress has yet
The EU put forward a solution that would involve Northern Ireland remaining in the customs union, essentially moving the EU-UK border into the Irish Sea but was rejected by Westminster.
Britain sent its own proposal for a UK-wide arrangement, but the premise of a time limit has left Brussels pondering the finer details of whether it is fit for purpose.
The European Council conclusion said: “The European Council expresses its concern that no substantial progress has yet been achieved on agreeing a backstop solution for Ireland and Northern Ireland.
“It recalls the commitments undertaken by the UK in this respect in December 2017 and March 2018, and insists on the need for intensified efforts so that the withdrawal agreement, including its provisions on transition, can be concluded as soon as possible in order to come into effect on the date of withdrawal.”
Ahead of the June summit, British negotiators have been meeting their Brussels counterpart in the Belgian capital for a series of “informal” discussions with only two “formal” days agreed between both parties.
On Tuesday they discussed the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. And, on Wednesday, will discuss the future relationship, in what is the last negotiating round before the EU summit.
Mrs May has said she will wait until after the June summit before unveiling the UK Government’s Brexit trade white paper, despite previous promises to have it ready before the important meeting.
The Prime Minister will summon senior ministers to an away day at Chequers in July to finalise the details with the hope of completing the Brexit negotiations in October.
An EU official said Brussels were waiting patiently to be presented with the document.
They said: “We will read it when we read it,” hinting any delay are not hampering the EU’s negotiating platform.