Brexit negotiator dismisses EU′s ′silly′ remarks on progress | News | DW | 03.09.2017

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United Kingdom

Brexit negotiator dismisses EU's 'silly' remarks on progress

The EU has called for the UK to start "negotiating seriously" ahead of the looming March 2019 deadline. But the UK's chief negotiator has dismissed Brussels' concerns, saying it looked "a bit silly."

Symbolbild Großbritannien Brexit (picture-alliance/dpa/J. Kalaene)

Britain's chief Brexit negotiator on Sunday said the UK would not be forced into accepting unfavorable terms after the EU criticized the lack of progress on negotiations.

Last week, Davis and his EU counterpart Michel Barnier clashed over the divorce bill for the UK's exit from the EU. Brussels has put the bill at up to 100 billion euros ($118 billion).

Read more: Brexit's side effects for life-saving medicines

"What he's (Barnier) concerned about is that he's not getting the answer on money and they've set this up to try and create pressure on us," Davis told British broadcaster BBC. "I'm not going to allow them to use that time pressure to force us to do x, y or x."

Barnier demanded on Monday that the UK start "negotiating seriously." With a March 2019 deadline looming over negotiations, Brussels has said "sufficient progress" must be made on three core issues before moving onto establishing the bloc's post-Brexit relations with the UK.

The UK's chief Brexit negotiator, David Davis, has criticized the EU for failing to align with London's vision for divorce proceedings

The UK's chief Brexit negotiator, David Davis, has criticized the EU for failing to align with London's vision for divorce proceedings

'A bit silly'

Those issues include EU citizen rights, Northern Ireland's border and the divorce bill. If progress is made, Brussels has hinted at moving forward with post-Brexit arrangements from October. However, Davis dismissed the EU claims that negotiations lacked progress.

"Bluntly, I think it looked a bit silly, because there plainly were things that we've achieved," Davis said. "The commission puts itself in a silly position if it says nothing has been done."

Read more: Berlin and beyond: Auf Wiedersehen Britain

In June, British citizens narrowly voted in favor of the UK leaving the EU, sending shockwaves across the bloc's political establishment.

The negotiation process was upset by British Prime Minister Theresa May's inability to clench a clear mandate in June's snap election, marking a setback for her hard Brexit vision.

Meanwhile, pro-European lawmakers among her Conservative party continue to question May's leadership, with local media reporting that a handful of lawmakers have discussed unseating the premier. No clear candidate has appeared within the party and a further delay to talks while a leadership election is held would make London's bargaining position even weaker, analysts suggest.

If no agreement is reached between the UK and the EU by March 2019, the UK will cease to be a member automatically within the terms of the treaties.

  • Britain and EU flags in Brussels.

    Brexit negotiations: What are the key issues?

    Two phases

    EU leaders agreed to negotiating guidelines during a summit in April 2017 that divided the divorce talks into two phases. Phase I, in which both sides aimed to settle the basic terms of Britain's departure, started in July and ended with an agreement on "sufficient progress" in December. Officials are now holding Phase II negotiations on the post-Brexit relationship between Britain and the EU.

  • Sterling notes

    Brexit negotiations: What are the key issues?

    The "Brexit Bill"

    London agreed to a formula for calculating what it owes in its "divorce bill" to the EU in early December after months of haggling by British officials. The current EU budget expires in 2022 and EU officials have said the divorce bill will cover financial obligations Britain had committed to before triggering article 50. The final bill will reportedly total around £50 billion (€67 billion).

  • A polish shop in Brighton

    Brexit negotiations: What are the key issues?

    Citizens' rights

    Both sides agreed in early December that the 3 million EU citizens currently in Britain and the 1.1 million British citizens in the EU keep their residency rights after Brexit. British courts will have immediate jurisdiction over EU citizens living in Britain. But the EU's highest court, the ECJ, can hear cases until 2027 if British judges refer unclear cases to them.

  • A lake in Northern Ireland

    Brexit negotiations: What are the key issues?

    The Irish border

    Britain and the EU also agreed in December that no border checks between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland would return post-Brexit. How feasible the commitment will be is unclear, as Britain's commitment to leaving the EU Single Market and Customs Union makes it difficult to avoid customs checks at the Irish border.

  • European Court of Justice (Imago)

    Brexit negotiations: What are the key issues?

    Transition period

    Theresa May envisages a two-year transition period after March 2019. Both sides still have to hash out the details of the transition period in Phase II, including the exact end-date, whether new EU laws passed during the period will apply to Britain, and whether Britain can negotiate its own free trade deals. British officials hope to agree on the terms of the transition by March 2018.

  • Container freight in England

    Brexit negotiations: What are the key issues?

    Trade

    May has repeatedly said Britain will leave the European Single Market and the EU Customs Union. Leaving both could disrupt British-EU trade, but allow Britain to negotiate its own free trade deals and restrict EU migration — key demands by pro-Brexit politicians. London has said it wants to negotiate a new EU-UK trade deal during Phase II to minimize trade disruption before March 2019.

  • UK border control

    Brexit negotiations: What are the key issues?

    Immigration

    Britain has also vowed to restrict EU migration into Britain after Brexit. However, some British lawmakers are wary that a sharp drop in immigration could lead to shortfalls in key sectors, including health, social care and construction. The EU has warned that Single Market access is out of the question if London decides to restrict the ability of its citizens to live and work in Britain.

  • Europol chief Rob Wainwright

    Brexit negotiations: What are the key issues?

    Security

    Recent terror attacks across Europe including a string in Britain underline both sides' support for continued security cooperation after March 2019. But access to EU institutions such as Europol and programs such as the European Arrest Warrant require compliance with EU laws. Whether Britain will still be compliant after it leaves is unclear.

    Author: Alexander Pearson


ls/jm (Reuters, AFP)

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