Little progress has been achieved since the March European Council in the Brexit negotiations, according to an announcement made on Monday 14 May by the Bulgarian Minister for European Affairs, Ekaterina Zaharieva. The latter was relaying the observation made by the EU's head negotiator, Michel Barnier.
During the day, Mr Barnier informed Ministers for European Affairs at the “Article 50” group on the progress in the negotiations and again highlighted the need for the United Kingdom to make substantial progress by the time of the European Summit on 29 June. In March, the EU 27 agreed to the launch of the second phase involving future relations and set out the terms for the planned transition period between April 2019 and December 2020 (see EUROPE 11988).
The Bulgarian minister stated, "We are expecting thorough commitments over the next few weeks" and pointed out that there is only five months left for concluding the entire negotiations. Moreover, the minister added that on the question of Ireland, governance and other separation subjects, themes covered in the first negotiating phase in the agreement on withdrawal, “substantial progress is needed”.
She also said, “We need more security and predictability from both sides”. Pointing out that the two parties were “really trying” to find a solution on Ireland, the minister again called on the negotiators to step up their work to obtain a solution without a hard border on the island.
Earlier in the day when arriving in Brussels, the German Secretary of State for European Affairs, Michael Roth, expressed his concerns about the lack of clarity in British intentions and said, “We're waiting for something substantial”.
On Monday morning, the EU's negotiator met the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney. The Irish government explained over recent days that it would not oppose a customs partnership model envisaged by London that maintained the United Kingdom in a close relationship with the rest of the EU. The idea of a customs partnership launched on 2 March by Theresa May is creating a lot of difficulties in her cabinet.
Ministers for European Affairs are due to reassess the negotiations on 26 June in Luxembourg. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)