Tuesday

3rd Oct 2023

EU to open way for Brexit transition talks

  • Barnier (l) with Juncker (r). The ball is back in the Commission's court as negotiations on transition are expected to start in early February (Photo: European Commission)

EU affairs ministers are expected to sign off the negotiating mandate for the transition period in Brexit talks next Monday (30 January) in Brussels.

The adoption of the mandate for EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier will open the way for negotiations on the specifics of the transition to start.

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Become an expert on Europe

Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

Ministers meeting in the EU Council will say that the transition period should end on 31 December 2020, to coincide with the new cycle of the EU budget.

British prime minister Theresa May, meanwhile, has previously set out what she called an "implementation period" of "around two years".

The one year and nine month long transition – after the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 – leaves the UK as a "rule-taker" during this time.

"At this stage, this is the negotiating position that has been agreed. The council will follow the negotiations very closely and if there is a need, it could update the negotiating directives," a senior EU official said regarding flexibility on the end date for the transition.

However, the EU official pointed out that EU leaders last month agreed that the transition should be "precisely limited in time".

During talks among member states, some have pushed for a more flexible approach, suggesting to add to the text that the date is "in principle" the end of 2020. However France, which has been following a harder line in talks, has resisted.

"We have put the issue on the table," one source with knowledge of the talks said, pointing out that while the mandate now states 2020, member states are open for discussion if the need arises to prologue the transition.

New negotiating directives will be issued in March for the second phase of Brexit talks, giving a chance for diplomats to tweak the transition period then, if necessary.

During the transition period the EU 'acquis', the accumulated EU law, will be applicable to the UK as if it was still a member of the EU. Even if the law changes during the transition period.

The UK's representatives however will not be able to participate in the institutions.

The UK would be able to start negotiating its own trade deals with third countries, but these possible agreements cannot enter into force before the end of the transition period.

During the transition, the UK will be bound by the obligations stemming from international agreements the EU has - as they are part of the EU law - and the UK remains a part of the single market and the customs union during the transition.

The UK has so far not asked the EU to roll-over existing EU trade deals, so that they would continue to be applicable to the UK even during the transition period, when it is already outside of the club.

If the UK wants to enjoy the benefits of these agreements, it needs to ask the EU to help negotiate a roll-over.

The third countries, the partners to these deals will also have a say to any arrangement agreed.

Brexit minister David Davis is expected to outline the UK's plans for transition on Friday (26 January), and could ask for the EU's help with rolling over the over 700 international agreements.

Meantime, the European Commission is working on transposing the political agreement reached between May and EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in December.

The final text of the withdrawal agreement is expected to be ready next month.

MEPs to keep 27 UK seats after Brexit

The number of French MEPs will grow from 74 to 79, while Spanish MEPs will increase in number from 54 to 59. Italy, the Netherlands, and Ireland will also get more MEPs, but Germany is already at the maximum allowed.

'No backsliding' on Brexit promise, Irish PM warns

Leo Varadkar, the first leader to address MEPs in a series of speeches on the EU's future, pledged to close tax loopholes, pay more into the EU budget, and keep London to its word on Northern Ireland.

Barnier rules out special trade deal for UK

The chief EU negotiator reiterated that during the transition period the UK would have to follow EU rules, including ones introduced after the UK leaves the bloc in 2019.

Agenda

Western Balkans and Brexit restart This Week

The EU Commission will unveil its strategy for the Western Balkans in an effort to keep the strategically important region close. It will be a busy week at the EP with geo-blocking – almost – coming to an end.

EU offers UK 'status quo' transition without vote

The EU wants the UK to apply EU rules during the transition period without having a say, arguing if the the UK wants the same benefits during the transition as for membership, it will have to agree.

Opinion

Punish Belarus too for aiding Putin's Ukraine war

While Belarus has not sent its own troops to fight Russia's war in Ukraine, the Minsk dictatorship has been heavily involved. As a result, Belarus must be punished for its involvement — what can the world do to sanction Belarus?

Latest News

  1. EU ministers go to Kyiv to downplay fears on US, Slovak aid
  2. Hoekstra faces tough questioning to be EU Green chief
  3. Frontex shared personal data of NGO staff with Europol six times
  4. Why EU Commission dumped Google's favourite consultant
  5. Slovak's 'illiberal' Fico victory boosts Orbán, but faces checks
  6. European Political Community and key media vote This WEEK
  7. Is the ECB sabotaging Europe's Green Deal?
  8. The realists vs idealists Brussels battle on Ukraine's EU accession

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of MinistersThe Nordic Region is stepping up its efforts to reduce food waste
  2. International Medical Devices Regulators Forum (IMDRF)Join regulators, industry & healthcare experts at the 24th IMDRF session, September 25-26, Berlin. Register by 20 Sept to join in person or online.
  3. UNOPSUNOPS begins works under EU-funded project to repair schools in Ukraine
  4. Georgia Ministry of Foreign AffairsGeorgia effectively prevents sanctions evasion against Russia – confirm EU, UK, USA
  5. International Medical Devices Regulators Forum (IMDRF)Join regulators & industry experts at the 24th IMDRF session- Berlin September 25-26. Register early for discounted hotel rates
  6. Nordic Council of MinistersGlobal interest in the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations – here are the speakers for the launch

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of Ministers20 June: Launch of the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations
  2. International Sustainable Finance CentreJoin CEE Sustainable Finance Summit, 15 – 19 May 2023, high-level event for finance & business
  3. ICLEISeven actionable measures to make food procurement in Europe more sustainable
  4. World BankWorld Bank Report Highlights Role of Human Development for a Successful Green Transition in Europe
  5. Nordic Council of MinistersNordic summit to step up the fight against food loss and waste
  6. Nordic Council of MinistersThink-tank: Strengthen co-operation around tech giants’ influence in the Nordics

Join EUobserver

Support quality EU news

Join us