‘Substantial gaps’ in UK, EU Brexit positions – London
The British government warned on Friday that “substantial gaps remain” between the United Kingdom and the European Union on the Northern Ireland Protocol. Downing Street repeated the EU’s proposals to change the protocol “do not free up goods movements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the extent necessary for a durable solution” and do not offer changes in subsidy policy, VAT, and governance.
The government also expressed concerns about the “unjustified measures announced by France earlier this week to disrupt UK fisheries and wider trade, to threaten energy supplies, and to block further cooperation between the UK and the EU.” UK’s chief Brexit negotiator David Frost said the EU will be in breach of the Brexit trade deal if France implements the additional measures.
“The government is accordingly considering the possibility, in those circumstances, of launching dispute settlement proceedings under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), and of other practical responses, including implementing rigorous enforcement processes and checks on EU fishing activity in UK territorial waters, within the terms of the TCA,” Downing Street warned.
Get involved!
Comments