European Union and United Kingdom officials had a video conference on Brexit on Monday afternoon which appears to have amounted to little more than a stock-taking exercise.
After the high-level conference, the Commission and Parliament issued a joint statement which said the EU and UK had agreed that new momentum was required.
It went on, They [the UK and EU] supported the plans agreed by the Chief Negotiators to intensify the talks in July and to create the most conducive conditions for concluding and ratifying a deal before the end of 2020. This should include, if possible, finding an early understanding on the principles underlying any agreement.
“The parties underlined their intention to work hard to deliver a relationship, which would work in the interests of the citizens of the Union and of the UK. They also confirmed their commitment to the full and timely implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement.
The UK government did not immediately react to the outcome of the meeting.
The video conference involved UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Parliament’s President David Sassoli and his Council counterpart Charles Michel.
The aim was to break the current impasse between the two sides over issues such as fisheries and the level playing field on trade.
MEP Kati Piri, a member of Parliament’s UK Coordination Group (UKCG), said, We want the deal already agreed upon by the EU and the UK in the Political Declaration. This means a comprehensive agreement ensuring fair competition with clear social, environmental and labour protections, and structural cooperation on matters related to foreign and security policy.
The Dutch Socialist added, The UK expects to keep the benefits of a Member State by cherry picking the advantages of the single market. But after four rounds of negotiations, it remains unwilling to agree on any obligations including clear level playing field provisions and governance. This is simply not realistic.
If the UK is serious about getting a deal – and I hope they are – it needs to make not just steps but leaps forward. It is time for the UK government to deliver on its own promises. An ambitious and comprehensive future partnership is in the best interests of both EU and UK citizens.
The conference comes with just six months left to negotiate, sign and seal an agreement between the UK and EU on their future relationship.
It signals the start of a key few days where Brexit again takes centre stage. Parliament will debate the topic on Wednesday with a resolution being adopted on Thursday. Brexit and EU-UK relations will also be on the agenda of a summit of EU leaders on 19 June.
Dods Group plc 2017