The European Commission today launched an infringement procedure against the United Kingdom which plans to violate the exit agreement signed last year.
To the British government's desire to violate international law, the European Commission responded with a letter. A letter of formal notice, which marks the first step in infringement proceedings, initiated following the "Internal Market" bill currently being debated by the British Parliament. The text very openly plans to violate the agreement on the UK's exit from the European Union that was painfully negotiated last year. Arrangements to prevent the return of a physical border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland would be put on hold, potentially rekindling tensions on the island.
After the law was presented in early September, the Commission had left London three weeks to withdraw the contentious articles. As the ultimatum ended on Wednesday, Brussels initiated legal proceedings. The UK now has one month to respond. "After examining these observations, the Commission may, if it deems it appropriate, decide to issue a reasoned opinion," she said in a press release. Eventually, the EU Court of Justice could take up the case and impose a fine on London. However, such a decision would take years.
In the immediate future, negotiations between the Europeans and the British - we are in the ninth round - will continue. The warning shot from the Commission should only tend a little more to an atmosphere that is already not looking good. Discussions on the future trade relationship between the Twenty-Seven and London have been skating since the start of the year. In particular, disputes over fishing, and over the issue of state aid to businesses.
Time is now running out. The UK left the EU on January 31, but EU rules continue to apply until the end of the transition period of December 31. Despite the pandemic and offers from the EU, Boris Johnson has refused to extend this transition. To avoid a completely chaotic situation once it comes to an end, a trade agreement must be reached quickly. The British Prime Minister has set October 15 as the deadline for negotiations, while the Europeans leave themselves until the end of the month. The agreement must in any case be reached by early November at the latest to give the European Parliament time to ratify it.0