Growing No-Deal Brexit Concerns: "Germany Criticizes UK-EU Future Relationship Talks as 'No Progress'"

Guardian Highlights Germany's Position After Merkel-Macron Meeting
EU Brexit Negotiator "Must Reach Agreement by October" Pressure

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Germany, holding the rotating presidency of the European Union (EU), has canceled discussions on the Brexit future relationship negotiations at the EU high-level meeting scheduled for the 2nd of next month, according to the Guardian on the 26th (local time), citing an EU diplomat. The EU has warned that negotiations must be concluded by October to avoid a 'no-deal Brexit,' but discussions have shown little progress.

According to the report, the German government recently informed EU ambassadors that "there has been no substantial progress in negotiations between the EU and the UK, and Brexit matters will be excluded from the discussion topics." The UK officially left the EU on January 31st and is currently in a transition period until the end of this year to maintain the current relationship with the EU and negotiate the future relationship.

This decision by the German government draws particular attention as it reflects the intentions of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is leading the negotiations between the EU and the UK regarding the future relationship after Brexit. The Guardian explained that this decision came after Chancellor Merkel met with French President Emmanuel Macron. At that time, the two leaders jointly issued a statement demanding specific responses from the UK government.

In response, an EU official said, "Recently, France and Germany have realigned their views on key issues such as Brexit," and considering this, it is difficult to expect Germany and France to play a role in breaking the current deadlock. The EU also expressed great regret, saying, "This summer was completely wasted."

Accordingly, concerns about a no-deal Brexit are growing. Several EU officials assessed that the UK government is prepared to accept a no-deal Brexit if negotiations are not concluded by the end of the transition period on December 31st this year. They foresee the UK shifting the responsibility for the negotiation failure onto the EU.

Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, pressured the UK side by stating that an agreement must be reached by October 31st to ratify a new treaty by the end of the year. An EU official said, "The level of despair within the EU negotiation team is being underestimated," adding, "The remaining time is too short to negotiate a complex legal treaty expected to exceed 400 pages."