The EPP Group in the European Parliament, with a spokesperson in the form of German member David McAllister, Chair of the European Parliament Coordinating Group on the future relationship with the United Kingdom, and the Luxembourger Christophe Hansen, negotiator for the European Union post-Brexit agreement under the Committee on International Trade have, on Monday 30th March, asked UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to submit a request for an extension of the post-Brexit transition period. The reason for an extension for this period—currently due to end on 31 December 2020—is the suspension of negotiations on future EU/UK relations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Michel Barnier and Boris Johnson have themselves tested positive for the disease and the second round of discussions has not yet been able to be rescheduled.
“In these extraordinary circumstances, I do not see how the UK Government could choose to expose itself to the double impact of the Coronavirus and the exit from the EU single market, which will inevitably add to the disruption, whether there is an agreement or not. I can only hope that common sense and substance will prevail over ideology. An extension of the transition period is the only responsible thing to do”, said Christophe Hansen.
“The coronavirus pandemic complicates this already very ambitious timetable”, added David McAllister, who emphasised that the EU “has always been open to extending the transition period. The ball is now clearly in the British court”.
On Monday, the Commission noted that a decision to extend the transitional period can be taken for one or two further years and must be “mutually agreed”, said Daniel Ferrie. This decision must in any case be taken by 1 July.
The EU has always been open to an extension of this type. It has not been officially discussed on the European side, but it seems to be a more than likely hypothesis now, according to some. The British government officially refuses to confirm this, pointing out that British law does not provide for the possibility of an extension, but, according to Reuters, the request for an extension could happen in May or June.
The EPP's request was published at the same time as the first meeting of the Joint Committee—as provided for in the UK's withdrawal agreement from the EU—was held by videoconference on 30 March. Among other things, work was meant to start on the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol and the section on citizens' rights.
The Brexit attachés from the Member States will discuss the issue by teleconference on 31 March. EUROPE will continue to follow this story. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)