Talks between the UK and EU will continue next week after the
first round of technical discussions were described as
“constructive” by UK officials. However, substantial gaps between
the UK and EU remain and sources close to the negotiations say
that “real progress” must be achieved soon.
A negotiating team from the Commission will travel to London on
Tuesday for several days of intensive discussions on issues
including SPS and customs checks and processes. and EU Commission Vice President
Sefcovic are due to meet in person in Westminster for talks at
the end of the week. The two leaders will take stock and assess
progress so far.
During this week’s talks in Brussels, UK officials established
that while there is scope to find common ground in some limited
areas, substantial gaps on the fundamental issues remain. This is
particularly true in regards to governance.
Officials are clear that solutions must be found rapidly because
disruption on the ground in Northern Ireland has not gone away
and cannot be endured for much longer.
Only this week we heard reports that because of the Protocol,
supplies of Christmas crackers are being prevented from reaching
Northern Ireland. Officials have made clear this is “yet another
practical example” of why the Protocol isn’t working and why we
need “common sense solutions” that reduce disruption to people’s
everyday lives.
A UK Government source said:
“The talks this week were constructive and we’ve heard some
things from the EU that we can work with - but the reality is
that we are still far apart on the big issues, especially
governance.
“There’s been plenty of speculation about governance this week
but our position remains unchanged: the role of the European
Court of Justice in resolving disputes between the UK and EU must
end.
“We need to see real progress soon rather than get stuck in a
process of endless negotiation because the issues on the ground
in Northern Ireland haven’t gone away.
“Whether we’re able to establish that momentum soon will help us
determine if we can bridge the gap or if we need to use Article
16 to safeguard the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement”.
