EU Parliament issues 3-day ultimatum for post-Brexit deal

News

EU Parliament issues 3-day ultimatum for post-Brexit deal

2020-12-17 21:33 Last Updated At：21:40

The European Parliament has issued a three-day ultimatum to Brexit negotiators to strike a trade deal, warning that MEPs won't have time to ratify an agreement this year unless it is ready by Sunday night.

Teams of negotiators from the European Union and the United Kingdom are in Brussels seeking a deal that would avoid costly chaos at the borders at the end of the year. To enter into force, any agreement would require the European Parliament's ratification.

After EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier briefed them on the negotiations Thursday, the conference of presidents of the Parliament's political groups said it is ready to organize a plenary session by the end of the month, but on condition that “an agreement is reached by midnight on Sunday 20st December."

If a deal comes later, it could only be ratified in 2021, as the parliament would not have enough time to debate the agreement before that.

“We give until Sunday to Boris Johnson to make a decision," said Dacian Ciolos, president of the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament. “The uncertainty hanging over citizens and businesses as a result of UK choices becomes intolerable."

Britain’s Parliament also must approve any Brexit deal. Lawmakers are due to be on a Christmas break from Friday until Jan. 5, but the government says they can be called back on 48 hours’ notice to approve an agreement if one is struck.

Johnson’s spokesman, Jamie Davies, did not respond directly to the European Parliament’s ultimatum.

“We want to reach a (free trade agreement) if possible, as soon as possible, and that remains our position,” he said.

He said U.K. and EU negotiators “worked until late last night and talks continue again this morning. They remain there to work to bridge the gaps that remain.”

In a message posted on Twitter, Barnier said “stumbling blocks remain" in the discussions. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday the major sticking points have been reduced to just two — fair competition in the EU market and fishing rights for EU vessels in U.K. waters.

The U.K. left the now-27-nation bloc on Jan. 31, but remains part of its single market for trade and other economic structures during a transition period that lasts until Dec. 31. After that, British firms trading with the EU will face customs checks, border inspections and — unless there is a free trade deal — tariffs.

The conference of presidents — which includes the European Parliament president — welcomed “efforts being made to avoid a no-deal scenario, and the huge negative impact it would have on citizens and businesses" but deplored London's refusal to consider an extension of the transition period.

To prepare for a sudden exit on January 1, the EU has proposed four contingency measures to make sure that at least air and road traffic would continue between both sides as smoothly as possible for the next six months. It also proposes that fishermen should still have access to each other’s waters for up to a year, to limit the commercial damage of a no-deal split. The plans depend on the UK offering similar initiatives.

Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.

Follow AP’s Brexit coverage: https://apnews.com/Brexit

EU, Britain and Spain say significant progress made in talks on post-Brexit status of Gibraltar

2024-04-12 23:26 Last Updated At：23:31

MADRID (AP) — British and Spanish foreign ministers said a new round of talks held Friday over the status of the disputed territory of Gibraltar following Britain’s exit from the European Union were productive and significant progress was made.

The meeting was between Spain's José Manuel Albares, Britain’s David Cameron and European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic in Brussels. Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo also attended. It was the first time representatives from the four areas had come together for talks on the issue.

In a statement after the meeting, the parties said "discussions took place in a constructive atmosphere, with significant progress achieved.

“General political lines have been agreed (on), including on airport, goods and mobility. Negotiations will continue over the coming weeks to conclude the EU-UK Agreement,” it added.

All sides are eager to clinch a deal before European elections in June.

Britain left the European Union in 2020 with the relationship between Gibraltar and the bloc unresolved. Talks on a deal to ensure people and goods can keep flowing over the Gibraltar-Spain border have made halting progress in the 19 rounds of negotiations so far, but both Spanish and U.K. officials have recently expressed optimism about a deal.

In Britain’s 2016 Brexit referendum, 96% of voters in Gibraltar supported remaining in the EU. The tiny territory on Spain's southern tip depends greatly on access to the EU market for its 34,000 inhabitants.

Gibraltar was ceded to Britain in 1713, but Spain has maintained its sovereignty claim ever since. Relations concerning the Rock, as it is popularly referred to in English, have had their ups and downs over the centuries.

A major sticking point has been who controls Gibraltar’s airport, which under the proposed free-movement deal would be an external border of the EU. The U.K. and Gibraltar have resisted Spain’s insistence that Spanish border officials be based at the airport, which is also home to a Royal Air Force base.

The British Foreign Office said Thursday that while it did not expect a final agreement Friday, "getting senior political figures from the UK, European Commission, Spain and Gibraltar in one room is significant.”

Associated Press writer Jill Lawless reported from London.