In March 2020, the EU fisheries policy negotiations were linked to trade negotiations, while the UK intends to distinguish them. [78] One of the points to be negotiated is the length of the agreement: the EU is waiting for a lasting agreement, the UK expects a Norwegian agreement, such as an annual agreement, to be in line with fish biology, fishermen`s aspirations and fishing science. [76] The EU can make concessions to Britain on fisheries, which depend on British financing concessions. [80] The issue of bringing legislation closer together is that the EU considers the UK to comply with EU rules (product safety, environmental protection, workers` rights, subsidies, etc.). The United Kingdom says it will not do so. [17] The withdrawal agreement recognises that in Britain the standards will be different from those of the EU in many respects (with the loss of trade privileges in these areas), with Northern Ireland enjoying special status to keep the Irish border open. A week of negotiations began on April 20 with a video conference. Issues to be addressed included future trade relations, security policy, trade rules and the controversial issue of fishing rights. [29] In informing reporters at the end of the week, Mr.
Barnier expressed his disappointment and frustration at the lack of progress. [30] In a commentary to The Guardian, “a British spokesperson openly questioned the value of the agreement offered by Brussels in relation to a non-agreement result.” [31] According to The Guardian, “both parties to the discussions realized that there is little chance of reaching agreement on the most controversial issues without a major setback.” [32] The Financial Times called the week`s negotiations a “service […] that the UK and the EU are trying to negotiate fundamentally different projects. [33] In the absence of an agreement, the UK faces the prospect of trade with the EU in accordance with the basic rules established by the World Trade Organization (WTO). The August round of negotiations ended on 21 August with “little progress.” [44] [45] The EU`s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said there was little time left and said it was “unlikely” that an agreement could be reached. [44] Britain`s chief negotiator David Frost said: “An agreement is always possible, and that is still our goal, but it is clear that it will not be easy to achieve it.