European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker has dampened expectations today in a new Brexit talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May.
They will talk to each other in a friendly way, but he does not think „that we will come to an end,“ said Juncker. May hopes for concessions from the European Union to ratify the Brexit Treaty, which is controversial in London, and to carry out the announced EU exit without chaos.
Time is running out
Britain wants to leave the EU on 29 March, in just over five weeks. In the case of a Brexit without a contract, the transitional period agreed by both parties and the cornerstones of a close trade and security partnership ceased to exist. The economy fears for this case, distortions, among other things, because of lengthy Customs controls at the borders. Both sides really want to avoid that.
However, the withdrawal agreement negotiated by May with the other 27 EU states in the middle of January prevailed in the British parliament. Now the head of government wants to bring with improvements but still a majority. Next week, May must report back to the House of Commons. The EU, however, rules out any change to the almost 600-page withdrawal agreement.
Interim balance is drawn
Nothing has changed in this starting position for weeks. Despite this, Juncker embarked on more „talks“ when May urged him to make corrections two weeks ago. The negotiators on both sides sat together several times. This evening, May and Juncker want to draw an interim balance.
