Brussels and London are still not announcing an agreement on British-EU relations

Brussels and London are still not announcing an agreement on British-EU relations

Even after months of talks, the two sides did not reach a compromise on the access of EU fishermen to British waters or common competition rules. The transitional period expires on 31 December, after which Britain will no longer be governed by EU law. Britain's trade and other relations with the EU will change after this date, whether or not the agreement is approved, but with the latter, more tangible effects are expected. The effects of ending the transition period without a fully functioning comprehensive partnership can be mitigated by smaller reciprocal agreements covering different sectors. According to Secretary Gove, Britain will negotiate with the union on "unilateral decisions that will make life easier". "And it may be that these unilateral decisions will be reversed," he quoted the Daily Telegraph as saying. At the same time, Brussels has already taken steps in this direction and has begun to take measures to ensure the smooth flow of air and road transport; it is a condition of the EU that Britain ensure the same for its part. European Commission chief negotiator Michel Barnier also told the European Parliament that the negotiations with London had reached a "moment of truth". As a condition for its timely ratification, MEPs are calling for an agreement to be announced no later than tonight, but there is little indication of such a development. Bernd Lange, chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade, said on Twitter this afternoon that failure to meet today's deadline for announcing the agreement would have "obvious" consequences. "The EP will not know the agreed text, it will not be in a position to consider it by the end of the transitional period. So make preparations for a period without an agreement and agree crisis measures with the United Kingdom," he said. However, a possible last-minute agreement could, according to commentators, come into force as part of the so-called preliminary implementation, even without the consent of MEPs. They could then approve the agreement later at the beginning of next year.