Apr 26, 2020 09:31 PM
EU frustrated with sluggish Brexit negotiations
https://www.dw.com/en/eu-frustrated-with...a-53242593
EXCERPT: EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has warned that time is running out to avoid a hard Brexit at the end of this year. He is growing frustrated with the "disappointing talks." [...] Barnier is frustrated that Britain is slowing down the talks, yet also rejecting an extension of the Brexit transition period.
A range of teams on both sides are simultaneously negotiating a whole host of issues. But so far, no progress has been made on the points particularly important to the EU. They range from creating a level economic playing field to agreeing on the legal oversight over the deal, cooperation on security affairs and fishing. While all these issues are interconnected, agreeing on fair economic parameters has the highest priority.
They pertain to labor rights, climate protection standards, subsidies, taxation and other issues. The EU wants London to agree to some of the bloc's standards, yet London insists it is a sovereign nation that makes its own rules.
The EU argues shared standards are key, as both economic realms are already interwoven. British Prime Minster Boris Johnson, meanwhile, wants a free trade deal akin to what the EU has agreed on with Canada, albeit with fewer obligations. But EU diplomats insist Britain's geographic proximity warrants shared standards. So far, both sides have made no progress on this point.
Brussels, meanwhile, has indicated that unless progress is made in this context, talks might as well be ended altogether – although Barnier himself has not publicly said so. Instead, he has reiterated that his side will do everything in its power to strike a sensible and fair agreement until this end of the year. But he is also aware that "never has there been so little time to reach a deal."
[...] Barnier has also bemoaned that Britain has not signaled whether it wants to stick to the Northern Ireland part of the exit agreement. Earlier this year, Johnson claimed there would be no border checks between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. But EU representatives have urged Britain to undertake preparations to conduct animal and food hygiene inspections along the frontier, so that goods can be brought into the Irish Republic, an EU member state, as of January 1, 2021. Barnier said preparations should not be postponed until November and that it was a matter of trust.
Indeed, there seems to be a lack of trust regarding democratic and human rights issues, too. Britain has only made vague promises in this context, whereas the EU is demanding concrete commitments as the foundation for judicial and security cooperation. [...] So far, however, Britain flat out refuses to adopt EU rules and legal norms. Right now, it looks like Johnson is going for a hard Brexit at the end of the year. He still has two months to change his mind, yet this will probably depend on just how much the British economy will contract, which will become clear once the coronavirus crisis subsides... (MORE - details)
Irish border community ‘frustrated’ social distancing cannot be enforced
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/...58068.html
INTRO: An Irish border community is “angry and frustrated” that social distancing laws cannot be enforced on day trippers from Northern Ireland, a public representative said. Donegal’s stunning sandy beaches and Atlantic coastline are normally a magnet for visitors.
The north westerly county is urging its neighbours to stay away as residents observe a country-wide two kilometre movement restriction to limit spread of the coronavirus. A loophole in the law means travel curbs do not apply to those living outside the Republic’s legal jurisdiction.
Councillor Jack Murray, from the Inishowen area, said: “I have been inundated with people who are angry. There is great annoyance and frustration when people are sacrificing so much and there is a loophole in the legislation so it does not apply to people in the Six Counties. It was poorly-written legislation. We need to take an island-wide approach to this, regardless of the loophole, and adhere.”
Irish police in border counties have been told those on day trips from Northern Ireland can no longer be arrested if they breach the law. Mr Murray added: “The virus does not respect the border and tackling it should recognise that. “We should not have different approaches, we need to look at this in a holistic way.” (MORE)
https://www.dw.com/en/eu-frustrated-with...a-53242593
EXCERPT: EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has warned that time is running out to avoid a hard Brexit at the end of this year. He is growing frustrated with the "disappointing talks." [...] Barnier is frustrated that Britain is slowing down the talks, yet also rejecting an extension of the Brexit transition period.
A range of teams on both sides are simultaneously negotiating a whole host of issues. But so far, no progress has been made on the points particularly important to the EU. They range from creating a level economic playing field to agreeing on the legal oversight over the deal, cooperation on security affairs and fishing. While all these issues are interconnected, agreeing on fair economic parameters has the highest priority.
They pertain to labor rights, climate protection standards, subsidies, taxation and other issues. The EU wants London to agree to some of the bloc's standards, yet London insists it is a sovereign nation that makes its own rules.
The EU argues shared standards are key, as both economic realms are already interwoven. British Prime Minster Boris Johnson, meanwhile, wants a free trade deal akin to what the EU has agreed on with Canada, albeit with fewer obligations. But EU diplomats insist Britain's geographic proximity warrants shared standards. So far, both sides have made no progress on this point.
Brussels, meanwhile, has indicated that unless progress is made in this context, talks might as well be ended altogether – although Barnier himself has not publicly said so. Instead, he has reiterated that his side will do everything in its power to strike a sensible and fair agreement until this end of the year. But he is also aware that "never has there been so little time to reach a deal."
[...] Barnier has also bemoaned that Britain has not signaled whether it wants to stick to the Northern Ireland part of the exit agreement. Earlier this year, Johnson claimed there would be no border checks between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. But EU representatives have urged Britain to undertake preparations to conduct animal and food hygiene inspections along the frontier, so that goods can be brought into the Irish Republic, an EU member state, as of January 1, 2021. Barnier said preparations should not be postponed until November and that it was a matter of trust.
Indeed, there seems to be a lack of trust regarding democratic and human rights issues, too. Britain has only made vague promises in this context, whereas the EU is demanding concrete commitments as the foundation for judicial and security cooperation. [...] So far, however, Britain flat out refuses to adopt EU rules and legal norms. Right now, it looks like Johnson is going for a hard Brexit at the end of the year. He still has two months to change his mind, yet this will probably depend on just how much the British economy will contract, which will become clear once the coronavirus crisis subsides... (MORE - details)
Irish border community ‘frustrated’ social distancing cannot be enforced
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/...58068.html
INTRO: An Irish border community is “angry and frustrated” that social distancing laws cannot be enforced on day trippers from Northern Ireland, a public representative said. Donegal’s stunning sandy beaches and Atlantic coastline are normally a magnet for visitors.
The north westerly county is urging its neighbours to stay away as residents observe a country-wide two kilometre movement restriction to limit spread of the coronavirus. A loophole in the law means travel curbs do not apply to those living outside the Republic’s legal jurisdiction.
Councillor Jack Murray, from the Inishowen area, said: “I have been inundated with people who are angry. There is great annoyance and frustration when people are sacrificing so much and there is a loophole in the legislation so it does not apply to people in the Six Counties. It was poorly-written legislation. We need to take an island-wide approach to this, regardless of the loophole, and adhere.”
Irish police in border counties have been told those on day trips from Northern Ireland can no longer be arrested if they breach the law. Mr Murray added: “The virus does not respect the border and tackling it should recognise that. “We should not have different approaches, we need to look at this in a holistic way.” (MORE)