The EU has published a draft Withdrawal Agreement to provide clarity on its position on Brexit and summarise the progress made thus far.
The draft Withdrawal Agreement translates into legal terms the outcomes of the first phase of negotiations, concluded last year, and also includes the outstanding issues that are yet to be agreed, taking into account negotiating directives adopted by the European Council, and a proposed transition period to begin following the UK’s withdrawal date in 2019.
The agreement was published per the commission’s transparency policy, and the commission will now consult with member states and the European Parliament. The text is divided into six parts, which are:
- Introductory provisions;
- Citizens’ rights;
- A financial settlement;
- Transitional arrangements;
- Institutional provisions; and
- Other separation issues, such as goods placed on the market before the withdrawal date.
As well as publishing its own draft agreement, the EU has called on the UK to provide more clarity on its own position on the future relationship between the two parties, ahead of their next negotiation meeting on 22 March.
How has the UK responded?
The draft Withdrawal Agreement has already been rejected by UK Prime Minister Theresa May, largely because of its proposals for the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The draft Withdrawal Agreement proposes the creation of a common regulatory area in Ireland following Brexit, which would resemble Northern Ireland remaining in the EU’s customs union, if no other solution can be found.
May said that “no UK prime minister could ever agree” to the proposal, which she said would threaten the “constitutional integrity” of Ireland. Meanwhile, the EU’s Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, said it was the UK’s responsibility to come up with solutions.
The Northern Ireland border has been a point of contention for negotiations, as Ireland will remain an EU member state. The government considers free movement of goods and people across the border fundamental to the peace process in Ireland.
