The ninth round of negotiations on a future partnership between the EU and the UK took place last week in Brussels. Mr Barnier said that discussions had been across the 11 negotiating tables, and were held “in a constructive and respectful atmosphere”. The EU noted:

• points of convergence, most of which had already been recorded in previous rounds, in particular on some aspects of trade in goods, services and investment, civil nuclear cooperation, and participation in Union programmes;
• positive new developments on some topics such as aviation safety, social security coordination, and the respect of fundamental rights and individual freedoms, which are a pre-condition for future police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters;
• a lack of progress on some important topics like the protection of personal data, climate change commitments or carbon pricing; and
• persistent serious divergences on matters of major importance for the EU.

Mr Barnier again set out what the EU requires from any agreement on an economic partnership with the UK:

1. solid, long-term guarantees of open and fair competition: the new economic partnership must be “underpinned by clear rules”, which must be “operational and credible”. Mr Barnier said that this requires “effective enforcement mechanisms, in particular on State aid, and a commitment towards non-regression from social, fiscal, environmental and climate standards”;
2. an efficient governance framework based on a comprehensive agreement, with “robust enforcement and dispute settlement mechanisms, as well as effective remedies”. Mr Barnier said that this was “naturally even more important following the UK government’s introduction of the Internal Market Bill, which breaches its obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement and the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland”; and
3. a stable, sustainable and long-term agreement on fisheries enabling the UK to further develop its fishing opportunities, while ensuring the sustainable use of resources and protecting the activities of European fishermen and women.

Mr Barnier observed that to reach an agreement, these divergences must “necessarily be overcome over the next weeks”. He said that the EU would “continue to maintain a calm and respectful attitude”, and would “remain united and determined until the end of these negotiations”. To read Mr Barnier’s statement in full, click here.