Almost 2 months after the European side, the British government has finally made public its negotiating documents for the future relationship. The move was awaited by Michel Barnier, the EU negotiator, who complained that he and the Member States had to respect the principle of confidentiality imposed by London.
This publication was accompanied by a letter from the British negotiator, David Frost, to Michel Barnier, in which he considers that the publication should be seen as a "constructive" contribution to the negotiations.
David Frost also takes the opportunity to criticise the EU's position, which he says he repeatedly finds "surprising" and discriminatory, as his country is being treated more harshly than other third countries.
Explaining that London, in many areas, is looking for agreements similar to the rules in place in the EU, the Briton says he does not understand why "instead of seeking to settle rapidly a high-quality set of agreements with a close economic partner", the EU "is instead insisting on additional, unbalanced, and unprecedented provisions in a range of areas, as a precondition for agreement between us".
In this sense, it is also "surprising that the EU not only insists on additional provisions, but is also not willing even to replicate provisions" of previously concluded free trade agreements, such as those with Japan or Canada (link to the letter: https://bit.ly/3bJ5MPh ).
This step means the full range of British positions are now known. While Brussels wants a single agreement, London is thus presenting a series of sectoral agreements, namely agreements on free trade, fisheries, transport, civil aviation, energy, social security coordination, nuclear energy, but also the transfer of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, or the readmission of people residing without authorisation (https://bit.ly/3gaKxJZ ).
On the free trade agreement, it is known that London is looking for a Canada type agreement and could even accept quotas and tariffs in certain sectors in order to be able to diverge.
On fisheries, London's position is also more restrictive than that of the EU, which wants to keep more or less the same access as currently (see other article).
For Home Affairs and Migration, London also wants a specific agreement on the transfer of young unaccompanied asylum seekers from the EU or the UK for the purpose of family reunification. Recently, London welcomed 50 young migrants from Greek camps. The two parties will also have to negotiate an agreement on the readmission of nationals residing without authorisation.
London also sets out its views on the exchange of personal data, in particular that known as PNR (Passenger Name Record for air passengers) data. Mr Barnier said on 15 May that it was a contentious area, expressing concern that London would ultimately ask the EU to ignore EU law and Court of Justice opinions on the data.
London also goes into detail on the modalities of the agreement it seeks with the EU on the extradition of suspects. These specific arrangements would form part of a general agreement on police and judicial cooperation.
The next round of negotiations will take place on 1 June. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)