Ursula von der Leyen – Brexit information: Michel Barnier handed new Brexit function in EU as talks to proceed for years | Politics | Information
Ursula von der Leyen provided her former chief Brexit negotiator the brand new function after he was compelled to retire as a full-time official. The choice was introduced at the moment by European Fee vice-president Margaritis Schinas, who additionally revealed his colleague Maros Sefcovic will co-chair the UK-EU Partnership Council to settle disputes arising from the commerce settlement. The pair will kind a brand new EU activity pressure charged with monitoring and implementing the foundations within the UK-EU commerce and safety pact.
Mr Schinas advised reporters: “The European Fee has at the moment determined to determine a brand new service, which will likely be a part of the secretariat common and assist the environment friendly and rigorous implementation and monitoring of our agreements with the UK.
“This comes because the Job Drive for Relations with the UK, which efficiently spearheaded our negotiations till the settlement was reached on Christmas Eve, will stop to exist on March 1.
“On this context, I’m happy to share that Michel Barnier has been appointed particular adviser to the President.
“He’ll advise our President on the implementation of the Withdrawal Settlement, in addition to on the ratification strategy of the Commerce and Cooperation Settlement.
“On the similar time, my colleague, vice-president Maros Sefocvic would be the EU consultant within the Partnership Council established within the Commerce and Cooperation Settlement within the capability of co-chair.”
Of his appointment, Mr Barnier stated: “Congratulations Maros Sefcovic in your appointment!
“Honoured to proceed on the European Fee for a number of weeks, as particular adviser to Ursula von der Leyen.
“I’ll proceed working carefully with the European Parliament and Council to make sure easy ratification on the EU facet.”
Messrs Barnier and Sefcovic will primarily be tasked with implementing the so-called stage enjoying subject guidelines for honest competitors.
The pair will likely be below stress by member states to slap Britain with tariffs it the Authorities is deemed to have slipped too far beneath European requirements.
Simply final week Mr Barnier hinted the UK might fall foul of the extent enjoying subject guidelines by ignoring a Brussels ban on pesticides.
Mr Sefcovic’s first function will likely be negotiating with energy hungry who’re pushing for extra powers to slap Britain with tariffs within the occasion of disputes.
Some states desire a larger say in choices on whether or not to set off retaliatory measures in opposition to Britain whether it is deemed to have created an unfair benefit for its companies.
EU states have demanded extra time to scrutinise the UK-EU settlement due to a hold-up in translating the 1,246-page doc into the bloc’s 23 official languages.
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A diplomat advised Express.co.uk: “Translations won’t be completed earlier than February 28 and member states are nonetheless working by the main points of the deal.”
The wrangling is anticipated to set off additional delays within the ratification course of, with MEPs now contemplating a vote to green-light the settlement as late as April.
MEPs are additionally placing stress on the EU’s new Brexit duo to crack the whip with Britain over divergences to EU guidelines.
Inexperienced MEP Bas Eickhout stated the European Union ought to show there are “consequences” for Brexit commerce deal if the UK strikes too far beneath the bloc’s requirements.
Below the settlement, the EU can name for Britain to be stripped of tariff and quota free commerce if there are breaches to the so-called “level playing field”.
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Mr Eickhout, vice chair of the EU Parliament’s surroundings committee, advised Express.co.uk: “Bees and different pollinators on each side of the channel are critically below risk.
“There’s something dangerously unsuitable with our agricultural practices in the event that they depend on pesticides which are dangerous to bees.
“The UK ought to stick with its guarantees and ban such pesticides and as an alternative use good agricultural practices to combat ailments.
“As a substitute of diminishing biodiversity, we have to improve it to guard the crops.
“If the British authorities persists on breaking its promise on this, the EU must clarify that this can have penalties for the Brexit deal.”