On the evening of Monday 24 May, EU leaders are set to discuss relations with the UK and the implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which came into force on 1 January. This discussion will take place against the somewhat turbulent backdrop of recent weeks, which has seen tensions with the UK rise over the Northern Ireland Protocol, fisheries, and also the detention of Europeans for visa issues.
“This will be the very first discussion at European level” said a diplomatic source, who noted that Member States “find the developments on the Northern Ireland protocol quite worrying”. The EU-27 should therefore reiterate the importance of respecting the withdrawal agreement and should send a unified message at a time when some are concerned that London may be inclined to favour bilateral relations with particular Member States.
The leaders will also note the need to respect the Trade Agreement and the section on fisheries.
The European Council is therefore expected, according to draft conclusions circulated in mid-week, to invite the UK “to respect the principle of non-discrimination between Member States and the rights of EU citizens”.
"The two Agreements allow for the EU to have as close as possible a partnership with the United Kingdom, while recognising that a non-member of the EU cannot enjoy the same benefits as a member”, the text continues.
“Relations with the UK should remain mutually beneficial and can under no circumstances undermine the integrity of the Single Market, the Customs Union or the EU’s decision-making autonomy”, says the draft.
“Relations are a little complicated at the moment”; “this is only to be expected”, commented one diplomat. “We are just hoping that once the initial difficulties are over, we can move towards a deeper, more peaceful relationship”.
"What we have seen over the last five months is that there are difficulties and concerns, and they are all down to the UK”, commented another diplomat who perceives “ill will” on the part of London. “At some point, it will be time to take stock and send a political message that now the agreements have to be respected “.
Link to the provisional conclusions: https://bit.ly/2Qyqlts (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic with the editorial staff)