The EU negotiator for the future relationship with the United Kingdom, Michel Barnier, sent his draft agreement on the future relationship to Member States on Friday 13 March, as he indicated on his Twitter account.
This 441-page document outlines some elements on the general frameworks of the future relationship, such as a level playing field and governance.
Without containing any surprises, it spells out in detail, as far as the economic partnership is concerned, the EU’s expectations on rules of origin, state aid, competition, transport, energy, and the management of fishing quotas. On this point, since the EU has requested reciprocal access to UK and European waters, “the Parties shall establish, by agreed records and before 10 December each year, the fishing opportunities for the following year for all [fish] stocks concerned, based on the best available scientific advice from ICES or any other international scientific body recognised by both Parties”, according to a draft seen by EUROPE.
The text also includes the EU’s wishes on the internal security partnership and on external security and defence. The British side, however, pointed out that it is not seeking any particular framework or agreement on the latter area of diplomacy.
With regard to the level playing field, the draft thus underlines the commitment of both parties to “continue to improve their respective levels of protection” in order to ensure high standards over time.
“The establishment of a level playing field between the Parties is necessary to ensure that trade and investment between the Union and the United Kingdom takes place in an environment of open and fair competition and in a manner conducive to sustainable development”.
The Parties “affirm that they agree that their economic partnership can bring benefits in a mutually satisfactory manner only if it prevents trade distortions and unfair competitive advantages and contributes to sustainable development”.
To this end, they “are determined to maintain high standards in the areas of state aid, competition, public undertakings, taxation, social and employment standards, environmental standards and the fight against climate change”.
On judicial cooperation, in the absence of a European arrest warrant, which London has abandoned, the European proposal refers to the operation of an extradition system between the two parties.
“An arrest warrant may be issued for acts that are punishable under the law of the issuing State by a custodial sentence or detention order for a maximum period of at least 12 months or, where a sentence has been passed or a detention order has been made, for sentences of at least four months”, describes the draft.
British negotiator David Frost thanked Michel Barnier on Twitter and said on the same day that the British government is also preparing to publish his model. The two teams were scheduled to meet in person in London from 18 to 20 March, but the coronavirus crisis is preventing this from happening. Discussions are under way to see if it can be held by videoconference.
Link to the document: https://bit.ly/2Q9Rsre (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic with Pascal Hansens)