Thursday December 24th 2020
Agreement on the Brexit trade pact
Brussels and London regulate their relations
So now: Great Britain and the EU agree on a trade pact. This is supposed to prevent customs duties after London leaves the EU and keep the economic relations of hundreds of billions of euros as smooth as possible. Recently, both sides fought doggedly for almost every single fish in British waters.
After months of negotiations on a Brexit trade pact, the EU and Great Britain reached an agreement. "It took a while, but now we have an agreement. It was a long and rocky road. But the result is good," said EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said they had "regained control of our destiny". "We will set our own standards," says the conservative, speaking of a good agreement. The trade agreement is good for "all of Europe". The agreement seems to have averted a hard economic break at the turn of the year. The negotiations should actually have been concluded in October, but dragged on and on. Several times they were on the verge of failure.
But now von der Leyen described the agreement as "fair" and "balanced". After difficult negotiations it could be "a solid base" for relations with the UK. It guarantees fair competitive conditions for companies on both sides and also provides for cooperation in areas such as climate policy, energy or transport. Great Britain remains a "trustworthy partner," said von der Leyen. At the same time, four and a half years after the Brexit referendum, she urged EU citizens to look to the future in Great Britain. "It's time to leave Brexit behind," she said.
Because of the short time, an agreement on the EU side can no longer be ratified in time. It would have to be applied provisionally if the 27 EU states agree. On the British side, the government has announced that it will refer the matter to Parliament. It should be called back from the winter holidays before the turn of the year. Prime Minister Johnson named December 30th as the meeting date.
Fight for every fish
There had already been reports of an agreement the day before, but then there was waiting. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney blamed the perennial fish issue for the delays. Part of the fishing rules caused a catch at the last minute, he told Irish broadcaster RTE. "I was hoping I could talk about the big announcements from London and Brussels this morning." From circles it was said that new inconsistencies had arisen when examining details. Most recently, ntv had learned that the negotiators fish species for fish species were working their way forward. And so a press briefing by British Prime Minister Johnson, which had already been announced for the early morning, was postponed hour by hour.
Boris Johnson
We will be your friend, your partner, your supporter, and not to forget your number one market. Even after we have left the EU, this country will remain culturally, emotionally, historically, strategically and geographically connected to Europe.
For access to its market – the second big sticking point – the EU had demanded fair competitive conditions – the so-called level playing field. What is meant are the same environmental, social and subsidy standards. A way was sought to ensure fair competition also for the future and otherwise counteract it. Only the day before was it finally said that all points regarding the "level playing field" had been clarified.
The Brexit transition phase will end in a week. Any pact should prevent tariffs and keep the hundreds of billions of euros of economic relations as smooth as possible. In addition, it is intended to secure access to British waters for EU fishermen and to clarify many everyday issues, such as cooperation in the police, justice system or energy supply, but also student exchanges.
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