As divorce talks begin…

The official Brexit talks began on Monday 19^th 2017, between Brexit Secretary David Davis and European Union (EU) negotiator Michel Barnier. Critical steps are being drawn towards the shared responsibilities of the United Kingdom and the European Union moving forward.

The Government of Theresa May weakened by the recent elections appears eager to settle to the terms proposed by the EU. It will publish a detailed report next Monday.

The date for the United Kingdom to formally exit the EU has been set for March 29^th 2019, under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which became a law in the year 2009.

Background

David Davis, Britain’s Secretary of State had initially hoped that talks on trade will run parallel with the exit talks. It was however, decided that trade talks would not begin until key settlements were made in regards to citizens’ rights, financial settlements and other issues pertaining to the ‘divorce bill’.

The Irish border has been featured as a topic of discussion and the EU negotiator has acknowledged that the issue is sensitive and demanded much work. It became clear that both the EU and the United Kingdom do not want to undermine the ‘Good Friday Agreement’. The two parties also want to avoid a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

British Prime Minister, Theresa May is set to give a briefing on Thursday regarding the rights of expatriate citizens.

The EU has said that since Brexit was the United Kingdom’s decision to leave, it will be taking a hard-line when it comes to granting concessions. It was asserted once United Kingdom leaves; it would be treated as any other country trying to establish a relation with the EU. 

Analysis

The EU was initially created in the aftermath of the Second World War, to promote unity and peace among the European states. The conception transcended from being an economic integration to one with political unity and a common market and then finally into a EU without frontiers.

The departure of the United Kingdom from Europe is treated as a ‘marital breakdown’, whereby divorce talks and settlements precede the decision of a future relationship.

Assessment

The EU has come a long way since its inception; it won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012. The established Union has tried to help several countries to confront difficulties. However, the current decade poses several challenges to the unity, as refugee crisis and terrorist threats compel states to become more focused on domestic issues. The failure of countries like Hungary, Poland and Czech to comply with the EU on the relocation plan of refugees has lead to legal sanctions on the governments. They in turn have flagged off internal security as the reason for non-compliance.

Our assessment is that although the EU has made considerable efforts to redress global challenges, it may be losing its relevance today. The prevailing economic disparities have undermined the unity between various member states and increasingly national interest has surpassed the raison d’être of the EU. The United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU can be best understood from this perspective.