Barnier shows ‘ambitious’ draft UK deal to EU members

Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier said yesterday that he had sent an "ambitious" draft of what could be a new post-Brexit trade deal with Britain to EU capitals.

Next week's face-to-face round of EU-UK negotiations in London has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, but both sides are keen to press on.

There is also, for some officials, an unspoken race to publish a comprehensive draft proposal as both sides seek to gain the initiative in a tricky months-long negotiation.

"We've sent a draft agreement on new partnership to EP and Council for discussion," Barnier tweeted, referring to the European Parliament and the member states.

"It shows ambitious & comprehensive future relationship is possible. We must give ourselves every chance of success," he said.

"We will publish the text after our exchanges and look forward to working with UK." Some in Brussels are pushing for Barnier to put out Europe's vision of a close working relationship with Britain under a deal to guarantee a "level playing field" for businesses. But some member states oppose this, arguing that Brussels should wait to see Britain's proposal for a simple trade deal with no promise of alignment with EU rules.

"Publishing the draft is not usual practice at this stage. It will only show that the EU and UK are on different tracks," one European diplomat told the news agency.

"Barnier thinks it will show advantage but it doesn't. It will show that what we have is fundamentally different than what they have. If we do, doing so before the UK is especially not wise."

 

Barnier shows ambitious draft UK deal to EU members

Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier said yesterday that he had sent an ambitious draft of what could be a new post-Brexit trade deal with Britain to EU capitals. Next weeks face-to-face round of EU-UK negotiations in London has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, but both sides are keen to press on. There is also, for some officials, an unspoken race to publish a comprehensive draft proposal as both sides seek to gain the initiative in a tricky months-long negotiation. Weve sent a draft agreement on new partnership to EP and Council for discussion, Barnier tweeted, referring to the European Parliament and the member states. It shows ambitious comprehensive future relationship is possible. We must give ourselves every chance of success, he said. We will publish the text after our exchanges and look forward to working with UK. Some in Brussels are pushing for Barnier to put out Europes vision of a close working relationship with Britain under a deal to guarantee a level playing field for businesses. But some member states oppose this, arguing that Brussels should wait to see Britains proposal for a simple trade deal with no promise of alignment with EU rules. Publishing the draft is not usual practice at this stage. It will only show that the EU and UK are on different tracks, one European diplomat told the news agency. Barnier thinks it will show advantage but it doesnt. It will show that what we have is fundamentally different than what they have. If we do, doing so before the UK is especially not wise.