Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Leaked Brexit Papers Reveal Gap between London, Brussels | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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London- Brussels seems to insist on focusing on separation cases related to the Brexit and rejecting London’s proposal of a more flexible exit.

The Guardian disclosed five leaked European documents, only one day after the newspaper itself published a bunch of documents related to the British government intentions after exiting the European Union (EU) and its dealing with individual freedom in moving between EU countries.

It appeared that the UK is willing to impose restrictions on low-skilled European labor and to limit European household access after the Brexit become effective. Although the documents are nothing more than discussions and don’t reflect the British government policies, they did embarrass the government.

The newspaper reported that when the EU issues the five documents during the upcoming period, it will have to face escalations with the UK on its exit from the EU. Among the papers, there is one that urges London to find solutions – after Brexit – for the common border between Ireland and North Ireland (part of the UK).

During his visit to Ireland, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said that talks about the border would be exceptional and complex. Another leaked document shows that the EU asked the UK to protect around 3,000 European food and drink products.

British commercial groups expressed concerns over the draft and pointed to imposing restrictions on immigration from the EU.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said during its speech in front of the parliament that those who voted in favor of Brexit last year wished to impose restrictions on immigration. Ian Wright, director general of the Food and Drink Federation, expressed the federation’s concern towards the suggested proposals in the document.

Wright added that if this represents the government’s intellect, then this reveals a pressing need to understand the vital contribution of the European immigrant laborers.