Some important comments on #Brexit from @campaignforleo at a modest press conference in Brussels. He said there's a good opportunity to clinch a deal over the next fortnight. (1)
On a UK-wide customs arrangement: "A lot of countries would take the view that any UK-wide arrangement is really a matter for the future relationship rather than a backstop which is for N Ireland and Ireland. Also there's the whole issue of the level playing field..." (2)
He pointed out there is currently no N Irish Assembly or Executive to approve any new regulatory checks, as reportedly being considered by the UK government. (3)
Called on the UK to produce plans for an alternative backstop "well in advance" of the October #EUCO not "a day or two beforehand." (4)
He suggested that the transition period might not be long enough to agree the final EU/UK trade relationship. (5)
And best of all he has upgraded Canada+++ to "Canada+++-() whatever *" ! (6)
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THREAD on the transcript of the @CommonsEUexit evidence session with @MichelBarnier because it is REALLY, REALLY worth reading. I'll not go into the did he/didn't he stuff about Chequers being dead because that has been a total waste of everyone's time. (1)
I starts of pretty awkwardly with the Chair @hilarybennmp telling MB to be concise. I would not have recommended saying that to him... (2)
Confirmation that the intensified talks have made some progress and the draft Withdrawal Agreement is now 80%+ complete (3)
European Parliament has just had an update on #Brexit from @danutahuebner who chairs the @EPInstitutional committee and is on the Brexit Steering Group (1)
▶️no idea when Brexit deal will arrive at European Parliament
▶️last point that Parliament can vote is first plenary session in March 19 because the second session would be too late
▶️negotiations have intensified but she hopes this isn't "a trick" (2)
▶️She had a meeting with @ukineu Sir Tim Barrow about the endgame
▶️political declaration on future relationship will not be legal text or legally binding
▶️views shifting towards political declaration being general because not enough time to negotiate the detail (3)
Contribution to this week's #Brexit diplomatic activity from @MichelBarnier in 20+ European newspapers today. EU offering ambitious partnership on trade+security with usual caveats and has to be progress on the Withdrawal Agreement. Does it sound mostly 👍 with a bit of 👎?
THREAD. I've seen the presentation given to Team Barnier yesterday by the UK Brexit negotiators on data protection after #Brexit. It puts "some" flesh on the bones of the PM's Mansion House speech (1)
UK said that the @ICOnews should remain part of the Supervisory Board of the #GDPR which comes into force this week. And UK should remain in the "one stop shop" system where people and businesses only deal with one national regulator. UK also going above and beyond #GDPR. (2)
UK says the EU should be able to judge the equivalence of British legislation but that a standard adequacy decision like New Zealand or Israel won't be enough for the breadth and depth of the future relationship. (3)