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U.K. and E.U. Harden Their Positions on Brexit as G7 Meeting Nears U.K. and E.U. Harden Their Positions on Brexit as G7 Meeting Nears
(about 3 hours later)
The European Union and Britain, which are hurtling toward a costly, damaging no-deal split in a little over two months, started a high-wire week of diplomacy Tuesday by entrenching themselves deeper in their irreconcilable positions.The European Union and Britain, which are hurtling toward a costly, damaging no-deal split in a little over two months, started a high-wire week of diplomacy Tuesday by entrenching themselves deeper in their irreconcilable positions.
Highlighting Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s determination to leave the bloc on Oct. 31 even if no divorce deal is in place, his government said as of Sept. 1 it would stop attending all European Union meetings where its vital interests were not at stake. Johnson’s office at Downing Street doubled down on the message later, stating that unless the trade backstop on the Irish border was abolished, “there’s no prospect of a deal.” Highlighting Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s determination to leave the bloc on Oct. 31 even if no divorce deal is in place, his government said as of Sept. 1 it would stop attending all European Union meetings where its vital interests were not at stake. Mr. Johnson’s office at Downing Street doubled down on the message later, stating that unless the trade backstop on the Irish border was abolished, “there’s no prospect of a deal.”
The European Union, which is not known for its speedy diplomacy, took only half a day to rebuff a four-page proposal by Mr. Johnson on breaking a deadlock over ensuring a transparent border between Ireland, a member of the bloc, and Northern Ireland, which is part of Britain. The bloc said that one key part of the proposal was “incorrect” and another was “misleading.”The European Union, which is not known for its speedy diplomacy, took only half a day to rebuff a four-page proposal by Mr. Johnson on breaking a deadlock over ensuring a transparent border between Ireland, a member of the bloc, and Northern Ireland, which is part of Britain. The bloc said that one key part of the proposal was “incorrect” and another was “misleading.”
In the diplomatic note from the European Commission and Council to the bloc’s remaining 27 nations, which was obtained by The Associated Press, the member states were strongly urged not to give in to Johnson’s demand that the legal withdrawal agreement the European Union negotiated with his predecessor, Theresa May, be changed at this late stage.In the diplomatic note from the European Commission and Council to the bloc’s remaining 27 nations, which was obtained by The Associated Press, the member states were strongly urged not to give in to Johnson’s demand that the legal withdrawal agreement the European Union negotiated with his predecessor, Theresa May, be changed at this late stage.
Mr. Johnson demanded late Monday that the European Union reopen negotiations, scrapping “anti-democratic” provisions for the Irish border that he said would threaten the peace process in Northern Ireland.Mr. Johnson demanded late Monday that the European Union reopen negotiations, scrapping “anti-democratic” provisions for the Irish border that he said would threaten the peace process in Northern Ireland.
The European Council chief, Donald Tusk, responded quickly and vigorously, defending the so-called backstop — an insurance policy meant to avoid a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.The European Council chief, Donald Tusk, responded quickly and vigorously, defending the so-called backstop — an insurance policy meant to avoid a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
“Those against the backstop and not proposing realistic alternatives in fact support re-establishing a border,” Mr. Tusk tweeted Tuesday. “Even if they do not admit it.”“Those against the backstop and not proposing realistic alternatives in fact support re-establishing a border,” Mr. Tusk tweeted Tuesday. “Even if they do not admit it.”
The backstop would keep Britain closely aligned with the European customs union if the two sides cannot agree on other ways to prevent the reintroduction of border checks on people and goods moving between Northern Ireland and Ireland.The backstop would keep Britain closely aligned with the European customs union if the two sides cannot agree on other ways to prevent the reintroduction of border checks on people and goods moving between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
The European Union’s diplomatic note said it needed to counter Mr. Johnson’s assertions, insisting that “it is incorrect to state that the people of Northern Ireland have no influence over the legislation that would apply to them.”The European Union’s diplomatic note said it needed to counter Mr. Johnson’s assertions, insisting that “it is incorrect to state that the people of Northern Ireland have no influence over the legislation that would apply to them.”
Similarly, it said, “The letter’s suggestion that two separate legal, political, economic and monetary jurisdictions already exist on the island and can be managed with an open border is misleading.”Similarly, it said, “The letter’s suggestion that two separate legal, political, economic and monetary jurisdictions already exist on the island and can be managed with an open border is misleading.”
Such words left a huge rift between the sides, just as Mr. Johnson was preparing to visit Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany in Berlin on Wednesday and President Emmanuel Macron of France in Paris on Thursday. His trips are due culminate in more talks at a summit meeting of Group of 7 leaders this weekend in Biarritz, France.Such words left a huge rift between the sides, just as Mr. Johnson was preparing to visit Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany in Berlin on Wednesday and President Emmanuel Macron of France in Paris on Thursday. His trips are due culminate in more talks at a summit meeting of Group of 7 leaders this weekend in Biarritz, France.
On a rare note of guarded optimism, Ms. Merkel suggested Tuesday that a “practical solution” could still be found for the Irish border issue, making the backstop superfluous. But she said finding such a solution would not require reopening negotiations on the current Brexit deal.On a rare note of guarded optimism, Ms. Merkel suggested Tuesday that a “practical solution” could still be found for the Irish border issue, making the backstop superfluous. But she said finding such a solution would not require reopening negotiations on the current Brexit deal.
Mr. Johnson has vowed that Britain will leave the bloc “come what may” on Oct. 31, with or without a deal aimed at softening the transition.Mr. Johnson has vowed that Britain will leave the bloc “come what may” on Oct. 31, with or without a deal aimed at softening the transition.
To that effect, Steve Barclay, Britain’s secretary of state for leaving the bloc, said Tuesday that the diplomatic corps “will only go to the (European Union) meetings that really matter, reducing attendance by over half and saving hundreds of hours.” He said that would free up time “to get on with preparing for our departure on October 31 and seizing the opportunities that lie ahead.”To that effect, Steve Barclay, Britain’s secretary of state for leaving the bloc, said Tuesday that the diplomatic corps “will only go to the (European Union) meetings that really matter, reducing attendance by over half and saving hundreds of hours.” He said that would free up time “to get on with preparing for our departure on October 31 and seizing the opportunities that lie ahead.”
But Mr. Johnson faces rising criticism of his Brexit strategy at home. A leaked report showed that the British government is preparing for widespread shortages of food, fuel and medicines in the event of a no-deal Brexit.But Mr. Johnson faces rising criticism of his Brexit strategy at home. A leaked report showed that the British government is preparing for widespread shortages of food, fuel and medicines in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party, vowed late Monday to do “everything necessary” to prevent Britain from leaving the European Union without a deal. That includes calling a no-confidence vote in Mr. Johnson’s government and, if it succeeds, competing in the ensuing general election with a pledge to hold a second public vote on Brexit.Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party, vowed late Monday to do “everything necessary” to prevent Britain from leaving the European Union without a deal. That includes calling a no-confidence vote in Mr. Johnson’s government and, if it succeeds, competing in the ensuing general election with a pledge to hold a second public vote on Brexit.
After a 2016 referendum in which the public voted to leave the European Union, Mrs. May spent more than two years negotiating a Brexit divorce agreement with the bloc. It was repeatedly rejected by British lawmakers, primarily because of concerns about the Irish border.After a 2016 referendum in which the public voted to leave the European Union, Mrs. May spent more than two years negotiating a Brexit divorce agreement with the bloc. It was repeatedly rejected by British lawmakers, primarily because of concerns about the Irish border.