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BREXIT BRIEF Brexit Brief Issue 84 02 April 2020 Introduction The Brief seeks to provide up-to-date information on the progress and content of the UK-EU negotiations, and bring together relevant statements and policy positions from key players in Ireland, the UK and EU. The Brief is part of a wider communications programme covering the work of the IIEA’s UK Project Group – including commentaries, speeches, texts and event reports – which are highlighted on the Institute’s website. (www.iiea.com) Section One: State of Play Agreement. These included: securing citizens’ rights; maintaining peace and stability on the Meeting of the Joint Committee on island of Ireland; and ensuring the integrity of the Implementation and Application the Single Market. of the Withdrawal Agreement On the topic of citizens’ rights, Commission On 30 March 2020, EU and UK officials met Vice President Šefčovič welcomed the UK’s via video-conference, due to the COVID-19 commitment to continue to allow EU citizens pandemic, for the first meeting of the Joint to register as lawfully resident in the UK Committee on the implementation and and reiterated the European Commission’s application of the Withdrawal Agreement. The commitment to support Member States in meeting was chaired by Commission Vice- ensuring that UK citizens can exercise their President Maroš Šefčovič and UK Chancellor rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove. The Commission also committed to working Following the meeting, the EU released a with the UK to implement the Protocol on statement, in which it outlined its priorities for Ireland/Northern Ireland. It stressed “an the timely implementation of the Withdrawal urgent need” for the UK to “proceed with BREXIT BRIEF 084 | APR 2020
BREXIT BRIEF the necessary measures, such as preparing Barnier and David Frost – raised significant for the introduction of customs procedures questions about the possibility of reaching for goods entering Northern Ireland from a deal before the current deadline of 31 Great Britain, and ensuring that all necessary December 2020. If the two sides cannot sanitary and phytosanitary controls as well as reach an agreement by that date the UK will other regulatory checks can be carried out in automatically move to trading with the EU on respect of goods entering Northern Ireland World Trade Organization terms – the ‘no-deal’ from outside the EU.” situation which is forecast to produce negative outcomes for both sides and, in particular, for Finally, the Joint Committee agreed to launch the island of Ireland. the work of six Specialised Committees. In particular, the Specialised Committee on the The postponement of talks, and the personal Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland should problems of the key negotiators, have led many engage “without delay”. commentators to argue for an extension of the transition period. The normally hard-line pro- The next meeting of the Joint Committee is Brexit Telegraph on 19 March 2020 carried the scheduled to take place in June. headline ‘It would be madness not to delay the post-Brexit transition to focus on coronavirus’ Covid-19: EU-UK Talks Postponement and went on to argue that “There is a time and The second round of EU-UK negotiations, a place to argue over the future of trade and scheduled for 18 March, were postponed in relations with the EU. This is not the time”. light of the medical guidance on coronavirus. An Irish Times editorial addressed the issue of A UK Government statement on 17 March said the transition period on 19 March 2020, arguing that: “Both sides remain fully committed to the that it is likely to be extended for two reasons: negotiations and we remain in regular contact The first is that the UK and EU with the European Commission to consider governments will simply not have the alternative ways to continue discussions, time to conduct the necessary talks. including looking at the possibility of video Time was already short, but to suggest conferencing or conference calls and exploring that any kind of a deal can now be flexibility in the structure for the coming weeks. worked out, with governments and The transition period ends on 31 December public servants facing a massive public 2020. This is enshrined in UK law.” health crisis, is crazy. The two sides had agreed to hold rotating The second reason is that companies, rounds of talks between London and Brussels consumed with the fall-out from the until May when there would be a review of virus, also known as Covid-19, will simply progress. The UK has until July to request not have the time or money to also cope an extension to the transition period. The with the changes which a new trading revelation of the circumstances of the two regime would bring. Whether a deal is main players in the talks process – Michel done on new trading arrangements or BREXIT BRIEF 084 | APR 2020
BREXIT BRIEF a breakdown leads to a reversion to An extension to the transition period will trading under World Trade Organisation surely have to be sought. Only obsolete rules, companies would face further cost doctrine and the Prime Minister’s vanity and disruption. are against it. Those obstacles can and must be set aside. The editorial argued that although Boris Johnson’s Government has thus far refused Michel Barnier Tests Positive to consider delay, “not doing so by the end of June would create yet mroe uncertainty The EU Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier, has and risk, at a time when more than enough tested positive for Covid-19. He tweeted already exist.” It concluded: on 19 March that he was “doing well and in good spirits. I am following the necessary It makes sense now to put the whole instruction, as is my team. For all those process on hold, using the mechanisms in affected already, and for all those currently in the withdrawal agreement. The concern isolation, we will get through this together.” is that Johnson, under pressure from An EU source indicated that the entire Barnier Brexiteers who fear what a delay might negotiating team – 100 strong – had been mean for the shape of Brexit, continues isolated while urgent tests were carried out. to refuse to recognise the obvious. David Frost Self-Isolated There are serious concerns that the key negotiation deadlines could coincide with the The UK Lead Negotiator, David Frost, has projected peak of the COVID-19 onslaught. self-isolated after showing mild symptoms Increased restrictions on international of COVID-19 just a day after the news of travel make a resumption of full negotiating Michel Barnier’s diagnosis. A spokesman for arrangements in the near future uncertain. It No.10 indicated that, while David Frost was is widely recognised that resorting to remote following key guidance on self-isolation, the internet solutions cannot replace the reality of UK Government remained in contact with the face-to-face talks, with the complex exchanges European Commission “and expect further and vital personal interactions which make a conversations between the teams next week.” negotiation work. European Task Force for Relations The crucial issue is the attitude of the British with the United Kingdom Government. The Guardian commented: On 18 March 2020, the EU Task Force for Mr Johnson’s gung-ho Eurosceptic rhetoric Relations with the United Kingdom published once suggested indifference to risk, but a Draft Legal Agreement for the future EU-UK in response to coronavirus he appears to partnership. The document translates into a have discovered a new capacity to engage legal text the negotiating directives adopted with evidence and a new flexibility in by the Member States in the General Affairs economic policy. Such pragmatism must Council on 25 February 2020 in line with be applied also to the Brexit question. the terms of the Political Declaration agreed BREXIT BRIEF 084 | APR 2020
BREXIT BRIEF between the EU and the UK as part of the Draft Legal Agreement Withdrawal Agreement package. The text of the legal agreement was drafted following The draft is 440 pages in length and covers consultations with the European Parliament all areas of the negotiations. It was shared and the Council and is intended to provide with the United Kingdom on 18 March 2020, necessary material to support the ongoing following consultation with the European negotiations and facilitate progress towards Parliament and Council. It was presented an agreed outcome. to the Council Working Party on the United Kingdom on Friday, 13 March 2020. The UK has shared its equivalent document with the European Taskforce, but at time of The text comprises six parts: writing, this text has not been published. 1. Common Provisions (Basis for Cooperation; The EU text spells out the demands to be Principles of Interpretation and Definitions) made by the EU negotiators in future rounds of talks. It clearly demonstrates the distance 2. Economy and Trade (Regulatory Practices between the two sides, in a wide range of and Cooperation; Level Playing Field: issues – State aid rules, labour and social Sustainability) with trade chapters protection, environmental standards, health including (Goods; Fisheries; Services and and sanitary safety in the agricultural and Investment; Digital; Capital; Intellectual food sector and, fundamentally, the so-called Property; Public Procurement; Mobility; level playing field. Transport; Energy; Civil Nuclear; SMEs) EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier 3. Security Partnership (Law Enforcement commented: “This text demonstrates that an and Judicial Cooperation in Criminal ambitious and comprehensive agreement on Matters; Foreign Policy; Fight against our future relationship is possible, on the basis Irregular Migration; Health Security; of the EU’s mandate and the political ambition Cyber Security) agreed with the UK five months ago.” 4. Participation in Union Programmes, Sound Separately, the Task Force published the Financial Management, Financial Provisions Foreign Policy, Security and Defence part of (UK participation in Union Programmes; the Agreement on the New Partnership with general conditions and rules; protection of the United Kingdom. It is stated that “This financial interests and recovery) negotiating document is published following 5. Institutional and Horizontal Provisions consultation with the Member States and the (Institutional Framework; Dispute European Parliament, bearing in mind that Settlement; Compliance; Fulfilment of the United Kingdom has stated that it does Obligations and Safeguard Measures) not wish to engage in negotiations on these matters. It was presented to the Council 6. Final Provisions (Termination Procedure) Working Party on the United Kingdom on Friday 13 Mach 2020.” BREXIT BRIEF 084 | APR 2020
BREXIT BRIEF The text further contains thirty-five technical to humanity. The parties should reiterate Annexes, covering sixty-five pages, and four their commitment to strengthening the global Protocols (Mutual Administrative Assistance in response to this threat. The fight against Customs Matters; Social Security Coordination; man-made climate change as elaborated in Participation in Union Programmes; Security the Paris Agreement must be recognised as Procedures for Exchanging and Protecting basic to the domestic and external policies of Classified Information). both the EU and the UK. Both parties would ensure respect for the Paris Agreement and The initial sections of the text, dealing with refrain from any acts or omissions that would Common Provisions, contain important undermine it or materially defeat the object provisions and set out a number of key values and purpose of the Agreement. They would and principles. In particular, it set out the EU commit to promote the fight against climate starting point that “the final agreement will change in all international fora, and to engage establish a ‘comprehensive partnership’: with other countries and regions to increase their level of ambition in the reduction of It further provides that where the EU and greenhouse emissions. the UK conclude other bilateral agreements between them, they would have the status of a The text finally provides that either Party may ‘supplementary agreement’ and will constitute terminate the eventual Agreement by written an integral part of the overall framework. This notification through diplomatic channels. provision would apply to agreements between The Agreement and any supplementing the Union and its Member States and the agreement would cease to be in force on the United Kingdom and to agreements between first day of the twelfth month following the Euratom and the United Kingdom. date of notification It is proposed that EU-UK cooperation will be Task Force on Foreign Policy, Security based on the shared values and principles of and Defence Democracy, Rule of Law and Human Rights, which underpin the domestic and international The EU Task Force separately published the policies of both parties. Consequently, the text of the Foreign Policy, Security and Defence parties should formally reaffirm their respect part of its draft Agreement text, pointing out for the Universal Declaration of Human that the United Kingdom has stated that it Rights and the international human rights does not wish to engage in negotiations on treaties to which they are parties, as well as these matters. their continued commitment to respect the European Convention on Human Rights. They The key opening sections of this part of the EU would commit to promoting these shared proposals state: values and principles in all international fora. The Parties shall establish a close Political Significantly, the EU text gives fundamental Dialogue and structured consultation status to the Fight against Climate Change, on foreign policy, security and defence. which is recognised as an existential threat The Parties shall also conduct regular BREXIT BRIEF 084 | APR 2020
BREXIT BRIEF thematic dialogues on issues of mutual the General Secretariat of the Council will chair interest in relation to external action. the Working Party until 31 December 2020. In support of their commitment to Section Two: The Evolving Debate multilateralism, the Parties shall engage in effective consultations in multilateral UK- Ireland Contacts fora and endeavour to exchange views On 14 March 2020, senior representatives of and enhance cooperation to improve the the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish effectiveness of regional and international Government and their Chief Medical Officers fora and organisations, such as the United met in Armagh to review the current situation Nations and its specialised organisations regarding the COVID-19 virus and how best to and agencies, the Council of Europe, tackle the outbreak. The meeting took place the North Atlantic Treaty Organization at the Secretariat offices of the North South (NATO), the Organisation for Economic Ministerial Council, in Armagh Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Organisation for Security and Cooperation The Northern Ireland Executive was in Europe (OSCE), and other fora. represented by First Minister Arlene Foster, Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill and The Parties shall also endeavour to Health Minister Robin Swann. The Irish consult each other ahead of elections Government was represented by An Taoiseach in multilateral organisations to seek Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign effective representation therein. Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney, and Minister Council Working Party on the UK for Health, Simon Harris. Detailed briefings were provided by the respective Chief Medical The Working Party on the United Kingdom Officers and the very serious challenges to was established on 24 January 2020, after public health which are posed by COVID-19, its creation was agreed by leaders at the North and South, were discussed. It was European Council meeting in December 2019. agreed that everything possible will be done It assists Coreper (Committee of Permanent in co-ordination and cooperation between the Representatives) and the Council in all matters Irish Government and the Northern Ireland pertaining to the relationship with the United Executive and with the active involvement of Kingdom, following its departure from the EU. the health administrations in both jurisdictions to tackle the outbreak. In particular, it assists Coreper and the Council in the course of the negotiations of the future On 19 March, Downing Street reported a relationship with the United Kingdom and on conversation between Prime Minister Johnson matters related to the implementation of the and the Taoiseach. “The Prime Minister spoke Withdrawal Agreement. to the Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar today about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. He set The Working Party is to be chaired by the six- out the UK’s science-based approach and the monthly presidency. Initially it was agreed that measures the Government has already taken BREXIT BRIEF 084 | APR 2020
BREXIT BRIEF to stop the spread of the virus and protect the No 10 initially said it did not take part because public. The leaders agreed on the importance of the UK was “no longer a member” and was international coordination to support the global “making our own efforts” but later stated that health response and minimise the economic “As the commission has confirmed, we are impact on our citizens. They also resolved eligible to participate in joint procurements to continue working together to strengthen during the transit period following our departure our bilateral relationship and to support the from the EU earlier this year. As those four initial Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont.” procurement schemes had already gone out to tender, we were unable to take part in these, On 20 March 2020, An Tánaiste Simon but we will consider participating in future Coveney and Secretary of State for Northern procurement schemes on the basis of public Ireland, Brandon Lewis, spoke by phone. The health requirements at the time.” main focus of the call was on the COVID 19 response and the actions being taken by the Section Three: Background two Governments, and the work being taken Material and Further Reading forward in Northern Ireland. They welcomed the leadership and concerted action being taken Background Material by the Northern Ireland Executive in response European Commission Statement by the to the crisis. They agreed that there was a European Commission following the first clear need for continued strong cooperation meeting of the EU-UK Joint Committee, and coordination North/South as well as East/ 30 March 2020. https://ec.europa.eu/ West in support of those efforts. They also commission/presscorner/detail/en/ discussed the recent UK Government proposals concerning how to handle the legacy of the statement_20_565 past in Northern Ireland, and the need for early Financial Times Coronavirus crisis demands and detailed engagement on how we can move extended Brexit transition. FT, 25 March 2020. forward together on this important issue. https://www.ft.com/content/267d8562-ef86- Ventilator Claims 4a04-83ea-37bd97812d36 The EU Commission has rejected claims by RTÉ Michel Barnier tests positive for the UK Government that a “communication Covid-19. RTE, 19 March 2020. https://www. problem” resulted in the UK missing out rte.ie/news/2020/0319/1124103-michel- on a joint procurement project for medical barnier-tests-positive-for-covid-19/ ventilators. A UK spokesman blamed the RTÉ Brexit talks uncertain as negotiators Frost situation on misunderstanding with Brussels and Barnier both self-isolate due to coronavirus. insisting that London had not received an RTE, 20 March 2020. https://www.rte.ie/ invitation in time to participate. Brussels news/coronavirus/2020/0320/1124430- responded that plans for the project had brexit-talks-unsure-as-frost-and-barnier- been clearly set out to the London authorities both-isolate having been discussed at the Health Security Committee with UK involvement. BREXIT BRIEF 084 | APR 2020
BREXIT BRIEF EU Commission Task Force Draft text of The Guardian Brexit: EU’s demands in the Agreement on the New Partnership with negotiations with UK revealed in draft treaty. the United Kingdom 18 March 2020. https:// Guardian, 13 March 2020. https://www. ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/200318- theguardian.com/politics/2020/mar/13/ draft-agreement-gen.pdf brexit-eu-demands-uk-negotiations-draft- treaty EU Commission Task Force Foreign Policy, Security nd Defence part of the Draft Text of Irish Times EU sets out proposals for close the Agreement on the new Partnership with UK ties after Brexit talks. IT, 19 March 2020. the United Kingdom, 18 March 2020. https:// https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/ ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/200318- europe/eu-sets-out-proposals-for-close-uk- draft-agreement-forpolsec.pdf ties-after-brexit-talks-1.4206215 EU Commission Task Force Joint Statement The Guardian Brexit: coronavirus sparks of European Commission Vice President Maros calls to extend EU transition period. Guardian, Sefcovic and the UK Chancellor of the Duchy 14 March 2020. https://www.theguardian. of Lancaster, Rt.Hon. Michael Gove, 19 March com/politics/2020/mar/14/calls-to-extend- 2020. https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/ eu-transition-period-as-europe-fights- joint-statement-eu-uk-joint-committee.pdf coronavirus European Commission / Europe Direct Politico Brexit Britain is running out of Future EU-UK Partnership: European time. Politico, 20 March 2020. https://www. Commission publishes draft legal text, 18 politico.eu/article/gripped-by-coronavirus- March 2020. https://ec.europa.eu/info/ britain-stays-stubborn-on-brexit european-union-and-united-kingdom- forging-new-partnership_en The Telegraph It would be madness not to delay the post-Brexit transition GOV.UK Latest on EU negotiations: to focus on coronavirus. Telegraph, 19 17 March 2020. https://www.gov.uk/ March 2020. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/ government/news/latest-on-eu-negotiations- politics/2020/03/19/would-madness-not- 17-march-2020 delay-post-brexit-transition-focus-coronavirus GOV.UK PM call with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: Financial Times EU rejects UK call for rapid 19 March 2020. https://www.gov.uk/ agreement on financial services. FT, 16 March government/news/pm-call-with-taoiseach- 2020. https://www.ft.com/content/6bc1fab6- leo-varadkar-19-march-2020 66e2-11ea-800d-da70cff6e4d3 Irish Times EU-UK talks on Brexit process Politico EU wants zero-tariff Brexit deal, but postponed due to coronavirus. IT, 17 March will fine anticompetitive behaviour. Politico, 2020. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ 13 March 2020. https://www.politico.eu/ world/europe/eu-uk-talks-on-brexit-process- article/eu-wants-zero-tariff-brexit-deal-fine- postponed-due-to-coronavirus-1.4204998 anticompetitive-behavior/ BREXIT BRIEF 084 | APR 2020
BREXIT BRIEF Financial Times Brussels places fishing The Guardian The Guardian view on rights at heart of draft trade treaty with Covid-19 and Brexit: extend the transition. UK. FT, 16 March 2020. https://www. Guardian, 18 March 2020. https://www. ft.com/content/87f19a66-653e-11ea-b3f3- theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/ fe4680ea68b5 mar/18/the-guardian-view-on-covis-19-and- brexit-extend-the-transition The Guardian ‘Not sad to do this job’: the Merkel ally leading EU’s Brexit team. Guardian, Politico In EU’s retreat, a way forward. 17 March 2020. https://www.theguardian. Politico, 20 March 2020. https://www.politico. com/world/2020/mar/17/not-sad-to-do-this- eu/article/in-eu-european-union-coronavirus- job-the-merkel-ally-leading-eus-brexit-team covid19-retreat-a-way-forward-ursula-von- der-leyen-charles-michel/ European Policy Centre The need for a longer transition. EPC, 18 March 2020. The UK in a Changing Europe Parliament and https://www.epc.eu/en/Publications/The- Brexit, March 2020. https://www.ukandeu. need-for-a-longer-transit-30cc30 ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ Parliament-and-Brexit-report.pdf The Guardian US trade deal ‘could flood Britain with toxic cosmetics’. Guardian, 21 Financial Times Brussels rejects UK March 2020. https://www.theguardian. ventilator claims. FT, 27 March 2020. https:// com/politics/2020/mar/21/campaigners- www.ft.com/content/f9051f66-cfbe-4b36- fear-us-trade-deal-will-allow-toxic-chemicals- 848e-3980225ae542 in-uk-toiletries The Guardian The day we stopped The Federal Trust Cliff Edge or Capitulation? shaking hands – and what that means The options for EU/UK trade negotiations, 13 for Europe. Guardian, 9 March 2020. March 2020. https://www.fedtrust.co.uk/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/ cliff-edge-or-capitulation-the-options-for-eu- commentisfree/2020/mar/09/stopped- uk-trade-negotiations - shaking-hands-european-response- coronavirus Politico Video killed the Brexit-negotiating star. Politico, 16 March 2020. https://www. Financial Times Boris Johnson’s agenda politico.eu/article/video-killed-the-brexit- is over – a new politics will emerge. FT, negotiating-star-trade-eu/ 27 March 2020. https://www.ft.com/ content/21672cd6-6ce4-11ea-9bca- The Telegraph Brexit by the end of the bf503995cd6f year will protect UK from Eurozone financial crisis, senior Brexiteers say. Telegraph, 21 The Guardian Brexit threatens UK’s ability March 2020. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/ to respond to a future pandemic. Guardian, politics/2020/03/21/brexit-end-year-will- 14 March 2020. https://www.theguardian. protect-uk-eurozone-financial-crisis-senior/ com/world/2020/mar/14/why-brexit-will- delay-uk-getting-vaccine-and-cost-more BREXIT BRIEF 084 | APR 2020
BREXIT BRIEF Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Statement by the Irish and UK Governments, 20 March 2020. https://www.dfa.ie/news- and-media/press-releases/press-release- archive/2020/march/statement-by-the-irish- and-uk-goverrnments-php Irish Times The Irish Times view on Brexit: Delay is almost certain. IT, 19 March 2020. https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/ editorial/the-irish-times-view-on-brexit- delay-is-almost-certain-1.4206256 Irish Times Coronavirus: I used to think Brexit was our biggest crisis. Now I’m nostalgic for it. IT, 20 March 2020. https:// www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/abroad/ coronavirus-i-used-to-think-brexit-was- our-biggest-crisis-now-i-m-nostalgic-for- it-1.4206086 Tommie Gorman Pandemic is a reminder we are all in this together. RTE, 29 March 2020. https://www.rte.ie/news/analysis-and- comment/2020/0329/1127081-sligo-family- business Tony Connelly Covid-19: Why the EU is haunted by the euro crisis divisions. RTE, 28 March 2020. https://www.rte.ie/ news/2020/0327/1126913-tony-connelly- analysis-euro-crisis Further Reading O’Toole Fintan Three Years in Hell: The Brexit Chronicles. Head of Zeus. BREXIT BRIEF 084 | APR 2020
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