By Ben Kerrigan-
Brexit negotiations with EU officials in Brussels are still difficult and failing to deliver the much needed progress for the Uk to depart from the EU. Attorney General, Geoffrey Cox accompanied Brexit Secretary, Stephen Barclays to Brussels in an attempt to crack the difficult and challenging task of agreeing a deal for Britain to leave the EU.
Britain is officially set to leave the EU on March 29th, in just over three weeks time, but it is looking increasingly likely that date will have to be extended.
“There are very sensitive discussions,” Cox said. “We are into the meat of the matter now. We have put forward some proposals, very reasonable proposals. We are now into the detail of the discussions. “I can’t reveal the discussions. These are private and confidential discussions. Both sides have exchanged robust, strong views and we are now facing the real discussions. Talks will be resuming soon.”
Attorney General: Geoffrey Cox
Meanwhile, a European commission spokesman said Barnier informed the commissioners that while the talks take place in a constructive atmosphere, discussions have been difficult. He indicated that no solution has been identified at this point that is consistent with the withdrawal agreement, including the protocol on Northern Ireland, which as you all know will not be reopened.” The line coming from the EU seems to be the same old line, and British negotiators continue to knock very hard on a door that shows no signs of opening anytime soon.
Barclays told reporters: “We had a robust discussion. Constructive engagement. We set out very clearly what the position is for Her Majesty’s government and also what the position is for parliament. We made those clear. We set those out.” Setting out the British position and having a robust and constructive engagement still doesn’t move negotiations forward. The British government and the British public are desperately waiting for progress in Brexit talks to move things forward.
Many observers believe the EU is determined to punish the Uk, and make Britain pay for its decision to leave the European Union. They say the EU is trying to send a message to all other members that leaving the EU will always come at a cost. The sad reality about this ongoing negotiations is that it may all be in vain at the end of the day.