Brussels intends to demand from the UK access to British fishing waters and recognition of the jurisdiction of the European Court, the Times newspaper reports, citing a draft plan for the EU’s negotiating position.
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The price of the new trade deal with (British Prime Minister) Keir Starmer, in particular, will be giving European fishermen access to British waters and accepting the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. In addition, Brussels wants to achieve concessions on the movement of young people.
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It is noted that this “tough” position is set out in a document that will be presented next week to the Council of European Ministers. Negotiations themselves to revise the existing trade deal with London should begin next year.
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In a referendum in June 2016, 52% of Britons were in favor of leaving the European Union; on January 31, 2020, at 23.00 local time, the country left the EU after 47 years of membership. The transition period after Brexit, when all EU norms and laws apply in Britain and citizens travel according to a simplified procedure, ended on December 31. On January 1, 2021, the agreement on trade and cooperation between the parties came into force. The Financial Times wrote that the UK has ceased to be a significant center of trade due to its exit from the European Union; Brexit has made it significantly more difficult to invest in British enterprises.
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The current Labor Prime Minister of Britain, Keir Starmer, has repeatedly stated his intention to build new relations with the European Union. In its election manifesto, Labor announced plans to conclude a security pact with the European bloc and strengthen defense cooperation with France, Germany and partners in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). The new government also intends to discuss agricultural trade between Britain and the EU to reduce border checks and address food prices, as well as raise the issue of mutual recognition of professional qualifications to open new markets for British services exporters. At the same time, the new government has no plans to return to the single European market.
