EU Ministers Give the Green Light to Britain’s “Divorce” Plan
On Monday, European leaders officially nodded to Britain’s exit draft, kicking off what they described as a painful final week of negotiations over cross‑Channel ties.
Who’s Involved?
- Michel Barnier – Brexit negotiator for the EU
- Gernot Bluemel – Austria’s European affairs minister and the country’s rotating EU presidency
- Fifty‑seven European ministers, plus UK Prime Minister Theresa May, who will travel to Brussels this week
The “Painful Week” Ahead
Bluemel told reporters that the paper’s signature marks “the first, difficult step” in a process he called “the end of a 45‑year marriage.” He warned that the next week will be tough, but assured that the committee would present a final version to EU leaders at a signing summit on Sunday.
What’s Still on the Table?
- Political Statement – A parallel document outlining future relations with post‑Brexit Britain and a possible extension to the transition period.
- Transition End Date – Britain is set to leave on 29 March next year but stay in the single market for another 21 months. If no agreement is reached, a one‑off extension can be requested.
Extending the Transition? “No One Wants the Endless”
Barnier has said the 2022 deadline could be a final date, but EU governments haven’t yet signed off. He added that any decision would be a joint one between the UK and the 27.
The UK, on the other hand, wants to avoid an indefinite extension. May stated she hopes for a trade deal by the end of 2020 to dodge a “long‑term” transition – and plans to keep an eye on the next general election in 2022 if she survives backlash.
Signing the Withdrawal Agreement
May said Brussels will see the final signing of the withdrawal agreement. “We’re in the closing stages of negotiating the deal, but nothing is agreed until everything is agreed,” she told reporters.
During this week, she will also meet EU Commission President Jean‑Claude Juncker in Brussels, though her team hasn’t yet confirmed a timetable.
UK Internal Politics: A Bitter Split
Despite the EU’s united front during the 17‑month talks, Britain’s own political landscape is in full turmoil.
- Conservative Hardliners and May’s Northern Irish unionist allies pledge to block the treaty, fearing a disastrous no‑deal scenario.
- The Labour Party sees the opportunity to topple May and vows not to support the deal.
EU officials have largely remained silent, but French minister Nathalie Loiseau noted that the sides had “exhausted their margin to manoeuvre.” Dutch foreign minister Stef Blok stressed the political statement must be ambitious and lay the groundwork for future relations.
Fishing Rights & Gibraltar Disagreements
Some EU members were upset that the draft didn’t guarantee fishing rights in British waters. Spain, in particular, is concerned about the future status of Gibraltar. Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said approval would be suspended until the declaration clarifies this.
Belgian foreign minister Didier Reynders offered a brighter outlook, saying “Here, it will survive. We are waiting for the same situation in London, but here in Brussels it will survive.”
Bottom Line
The moment the EU ministers signed on marks a milestone, but it also sets the stage for a week of heated negotiations. With the UK poised to exit the Union, the dream of a smooth transition is still up for grabs — and whether the fence‑sitting political factions in London will hold the door open remains uncertain. Stay tuned, because the drama is far from over.
