"Atmosphere Has Changed" Possibility of UK-EU Future Relationship Negotiation Settlement

Charles Michel, President of the European Union (EU) Summit [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] The possibility of reaching an agreement on the future relationship negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) is increasing.

On the 8th (local time), according to AFP, Irish Prime Minister Michal Martin and Charles Michel, President of the EU Council, held a meeting in Dublin followed by a press conference.

At the event, Prime Minister Martin stated regarding the future relationship negotiations, including the trade agreement with the UK, "The atmosphere has changed. There have been more intensified discussions."

However, Martin added, "The atmosphere is just the atmosphere; substance must follow," and said, "Concrete results are needed in the negotiations, and for that, a change in positions is necessary."

President Michel said, "The coming days are very important. This is a moment of truth."

He urged that "our British friends must show meaningful movement within days" concerning the EU's access rights to UK waters, common regulations, and the governance structure of the final agreement.

He stated, "The EU is making every effort to reach an agreement with the UK, but it will not do so at any cost."

President Michel also emphasized that the UK must properly implement the legally based EU withdrawal agreement in relation to Brexit, which took place at the end of January.

The UK is pushing legislation for the Internal Market Act, which could nullify parts of the EU withdrawal agreement in preparation for a breakdown in future relationship negotiations, prompting opposition from the EU.

Earlier, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson had set the EU summit scheduled for the 15th as the deadline for reaching an agreement on the future relationship negotiations.

The EU expects that the final agreement must be reached by the end of this month, considering the ratification procedures of member states.

Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, is scheduled to meet with David Frost, the UK’s chief negotiator and European advisor, in London on the 9th.

Both sides plan to continue final negotiations in Brussels next week.

On the 7th, Chief Negotiator Barnier briefed diplomats from member states on the progress of the negotiations.

At the meeting, Barnier demanded that member states prepare concession proposals regarding access rights to UK waters in relation to state subsidies and governance structures.

Access rights to UK waters are especially important to the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, and France, which share seas with the UK.

The EU has demanded unrestricted access to UK waters even after the end of the Brexit transition (implementation) period at the end of the year.

On the other hand, the UK’s position is to significantly restrict this access and require annual negotiations on fishing quotas.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.