MS-11: UK-EU Negotiation Update

[Ruth Murphy]

Mr. Speaker,

I rise to announce that the United Kingdom and European Union have made the following update following the second round of negotiations at Brussels. I provide the House with the following joint statement:

Quote

 

Joint statement by the UK Government and the EU Negotiation team

The negotiation teams of the UK Government and the European Commission met in Brussels for the second round of Brexit talks. 

The talks focused on transition period, no deal and the financial settlement. 

Significant process has been made in drafting a withdrawal agreement as a consequence of the talks, and significant progress was made on the question of transition and the final financial settlement between the European Union and United Kingdom. Both the UK and the EU agreed in principle, and pending the final decisions in the Withdrawal Agreement, on the final financial settlement between the UK and EU. Following a transition period, the United Kingdom would pay required contributions through the end of the transition period, for long term contributions and to credit participation into programmes against owed amounts. 

The United Kingdom and European Union also affirmed their commitment to a deal by March 29 2019 and to engage in good faith negotiation throughout the Brexit process. Conditional on good faith negotiation, both the European Union and United Kingdom agree if required extensions will be provided to avoid a no deal scenario. Following consultation with the European Council, the European Union will declare if such conditions are being met every six month period. The United Kingdom would also make the same affirmations every six month period to provide assurance to businesses and individuals in the United Kingdom and in the European Union. 

The negotiating teams will meet again next month to discuss the Northern Ireland - Ireland border and to finalise the withdrawal agreement. Following this, negotiations are to take place on the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

 

Mr. Speaker,

Following agreement that has been reached between the United Kingdom and European Union on citizens rights, this is another significant step forward that finds a path forward in regard to Britain's transition out of the European Union and an agreed financial settlement between the United Kingdom and the European Union. 

Further, as the House is aware the government and myself have made clear to households and businesses across the country the government's utmost opposition to a no deal Brexit. We are glad we are joined in acknowledging the damage caused by a no deal Brexit to both the United Kingdom and the European Union by the European Union, and to have obtained a framework with which we can assure businesses and households across Europe that a no deal Brexit is off the table.

I commend this statement to the House.

[Addie]

Mr Speaker, 

Like before, we appreciate the update from the Government on the status of Brexit negotiations and proceed with a measure of cautious optimism- cautious as before because there is no deal and anything, even that which is agreed to in principle may change. But optimistic, particularly in the joint agreement to avoid a disastrous no-deal Brexit which would be the worst of all worlds for businesses, families, and communities. 

The Government mentioned that talks covered a transition period, but it is a little strange as there is no much that can be said without knowing what we are transitioning to. Was the agreement merely that there would be a transition from the status quo to the new status? Or was there more- such as on a timeline, and a phasing out of certain rights and benefits allowed to communities and businesses?

[Ruth Murphy]

Mr. Speaker, 

I thank the Honourable Gentleman for Aberdeen North for his contribution. 

During the transition period while we’ll be out of the European Union’s political structures, we will be in the single market and customs union. The UK and EU negotiating teams have currently deemed this to be a two year negotiation period on withdrawal from the European Union. This will allow businesses, individuals and governing body to prepare for life outside the European Union so we can transition into a new reality. It will also give the United Kingdom significantly more time to forge its long term future relationship with the European Union. 

Naturally, what that reality this is will still be negotiated between the United Kingdom and European Union both in the shorter term with the withdrawal agreement and in the longer term with future relationship negotiations.