In all "objectivity, at the moment of speaking, we are not at the point of considering a deal" on an orderly exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union. It is this very clear message that the EU's chief negotiator on Brexit, Michel Barnier, sent on Wednesday 9 October to MEPs meeting in mini plenary session and to the UK government.
According to Mr Barnier, the proposals, which the British Government tabled at the beginning of October as an alternative solution to the backstop agreed between the EU and Theresa May's previous government, do not yet constitute a possible basis for an agreement.
The Twenty-Seven set out four major problems. The first problem is that while the EU agrees with Boris Johnson's acknowledged need for Northern Ireland's regulatory alignment for all goods, things are more difficult for customs checks, as London wants Northern Ireland to leave the Customs Union.
The British government "is asking us for a legal commitment to avoid, under any circumstances, any physical checking and infrastructure at the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland", Mr Barnier said. "Of course, we share this aim. But in reality, what is being asked of us is to accept an untested system of checks scattered across the island based on exemptions, technologies yet to be developed, changes to international law and a new 'compliance' system", he added.
The negotiator also considered that the United Kingdom was not providing sufficient legal certainty by focusing on solutions to be found during the post-Brexit transition period. The solution advocated is therefore "hypothetical and provisional", said Mr Barnier, whereas the EU wants operational solutions quickly.
The negotiator here cited the issue of the joint committee to resolve disputes between the parties. In his view, the possibility of either party taking unilateral measures, as envisaged by the British, would then present a "significant risk" to the single market. And the British proposals would "commit us at the same time never to provide for border controls between the two Irelands, which would become different jurisdictions".
Mr Barnier said that the EU was ready to find a formulation with the British which would strengthen the involvement of the Northern Ireland Assembly (Stormont), which is currently suspended. But he refused the possibility of giving this assembly the power to veto the protocol for Northern Ireland.
The fourth and final concern for The Twenty-Seven is based on the United Kingdom's plan to diverge on social, environmental or tax standards, while the withdrawal agreement provides for the maintenance of a level playing field in these areas. Indeed, London only wants a basic free trade agreement.
According to Michel Barnier, there is therefore a clear risk of "dumping" on the EU's doorstep, after Brexit. London's access to the internal market through the future free trade agreement will be commensurate with its commitments to this set of common rules of the game.
The position defended by the EU's chief negotiator was broadly endorsed by MEPs on Wednesday, first by European Parliament President David Sassoli, who had met British Prime Minister Boris Johnson the day before in London.
Manfred Weber, the leader of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, expressed concern about the turn the debate had taken and the blame game, which involved looking in advance for those responsible for a failure of the discussions that would lead to a no-deal Brexit at the end of October.
But the resolutely optimistic Michel Barnier, who will meet the British Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, Stephen Barclay, on Thursday 10 October, said that an agreement by 31 October would be "very difficult", but still "possible, with political goodwill on both sides". (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)