Starmer met Ursula Von Der Leyen in Brussels yesterday. It seems they couldn’t agree on what to say. Here are my notes and links …
- A preview mainly on immigration/youth mobility from Politico.
- A joint statement from Starmer/VdL published by the UK Government.
- The Commission’s version of the meeting, inc. a video.
- The Independent summarises the post meeting press conference, “in a blow to the prime minister, the EU repeatedly pointed to Britain’s existing arrangements with the bloc – Rishi Sunak’s Windsor Framework and Boris Johnson’s Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) – calling for the “full and faithful” implementation of those deals. It could suggest there is little room for any major new agreements until existing plans are fully in place. Currently parts of the TCA are not in place, such as repeatedly delayed Brexit checks on EU imports.” together with some parts of the withdrawal agreement such as the immigration/right-to-remain issues and fishing it seems.
- Reports by Euronews, and Politico, who may have the best summary, “Brexit talks are back — forever”. Not exactly what was wanted.
One piece of context for this is the FT’s article, “EU issues UK with list of demands if it wants better relationship” (£|(-)). This relate to UK/Ireland trade, and the rights of EU citizens with long term residency and Fishing (still). The UK established independent monitor also has outstanding issues with the UK Government.