Bloc seeks extra two months for lawmakers to scrutinize accord; Any postponement will still require approval from London
The European Union is seeking to postpone the ratification of the
post-Brexit trade deal, a move that is likely to add to the tension that
has characterized the bloc’s relationship with the U.K. since the two
sides signed the accord in December.
On
Wednesday, the European Commission said that it wanted to delay the end
of provisional application of the agreement from the end of February
until April 30 to give time for governments and EU lawmakers to
scrutinize the trade pact.
The European Parliament has to vote on whether to approve the
deal before the end of the provisional period. Officials on both sides
said it’s highly unlikely lawmakers will seek to vote down the accord.
Any delay, though, would still have to be approved by both the U.K. and
EU.
“It’s a little surprising the EU wish to change it quite so
soon,” David Frost, the U.K.’s chief Brexit negotiator, said to a panel
of lawmakers on Tuesday after being told informally by the EU that it
wanted more time. Frost said he didn’t think there is “any wish” on the
U.K. side “to extend this more than necessary.”
Bloomberg
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