European Union Council President Donald Tusk sent draft Brexit negotiating guidelines to leaders of Britain’s 27 EU partners on Friday, hoping to agree them on April 29 so that negotiations on British withdrawal can begin.
These are key points of the 8-page draft, seen by Reuters:
PHASED APPROACH
If “sufficient progress” towards agreeing the terms of an “orderly withdrawal” on March 29, 2019, is made in a first phase of talks starting in early June, the EU27 could launch talks on how a long-term future free trade relationship could work, the draft says.
That represents a compromise between the position of EU hardliners, who want no trade talks until the full Brexit deal is agreed, and British calls for an immediate start.
Tusk told reporters the EU could assess as early as this autumn if progress was “sufficient.” But it is unclear how it will arrive at that judgment. If leaders need unanimity, some could block trade talks. Eastern states with many expats in Britain may want more certainty on their rights, while western powers are more keen on talking about trade.
TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
Britain could have a few years after March 2019 when it does not have to give up all benefits of membership, to ease the shift for people and businesses. But in that case it would have to accept EU rules, e.g. on free migration, and submit to supervision by the European Court of Justice and other EU authorities.
“Any such transitional arrangements must be clearly defined, limited in time, and subject to effective enforcement mechanisms,” the draft says.
STICKING TOGETHER
The EU 27 will stick together against British efforts to divide and conquer and is prepared to play hardball against Prime Minister Theresa May’s threat to walk out without a deal. Brussels thinks Britain needs a deal more than the EU.
“The Union will act as one. It will be constructive throughout and will strive to find an agreement. This is in the best interest of both sides. The Union will work hard to achieve that outcome, but it will prepare itself to be able to handle the situation also if the negotiations were to fail.”
NO DUMPING
Free trade will be a good outcome but Britain should not expect to get that if it seeks competitive advantages for its companies by state subsidies or by tearing up EU environmental or labor standards or setting itself up as a tax haven.
“Any free trade agreement should be balanced, ambitious and wide-ranging. It cannot, however, amount to participation in the Single Market or parts thereof, as this would undermine its integrity and proper functioning. It must ensure a level playing field in terms of competition and state aid, and must encompass safeguards against unfair competitive advantages through, inter alia, fiscal, social and environmental dumping.”
RIGHTS AND BENEFITS
Britain cannot have a better deal outside than inside the EU — that would be a slippery slope to others leaving the Union. Tusk welcomes May’s acknowledgement she cannot “cherry pick” single market membership without accepting freedom of movement for EU workers but warns against her suggestion that Brussels open technical talks on trade in specific sectors.
“Preserving the integrity of the Single Market excludes participation based on a sector-by-sector approach. A non-member of the Union, that does not live up to the same obligations as a member, cannot have the same rights and enjoy the same benefits as a member.”
BREXIT BILL
Britain must pay up on its share of potential losses from guarantees given by the EU, among other things. Until it leaves, the actual bill probably can’t be calculated with accuracy. The main thing for the EU is to agree a “methodology” this year.
“A single financial settlement should ensure that the Union and the United Kingdom both respect the obligations undertaken before the date of withdrawal. The settlement should cover all legal and budgetary commitments as well as liabilities, including contingent liabilities.”
BORDER TROUBLE
The EU doesn’t want to disturb peace in Northern Ireland, where there will be a new EU land border. It is also paying attention to British military bases in Cyprus and is giving Spain a special say on the fate of the British territory of Gibraltar, which is not part of the U.K. but is in the EU.
“In view of the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland, flexible and imaginative solutions will be required, including with the aim of avoiding a hard border, while respecting the integrity of the Union legal order.”
