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UK proposes 'pared-down' free trade agreement to end Brexit impasse

11 October 2019 00:24 (UTC +04:00)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reportedly pitched to his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar a more limited free trade agreement (FTA), instead of focusing on a fully formed withdrawal accord, APA reports citing Sputnik.

In particular, the proposal envisages a "pared-down free trade agreement" to end the Brexit impasse and get a divorce deal with European Union inked by the scheduled deadline on 31 October, Sky News reported Thursday, citing sources in Brussels familiar with the matter.

According to the sources, cited by Sky News, the FTA will not resolve all of the issues that have pursued the existing British proposals but this agreement is a "cleaner and more straightforward" approach that could eventually create the framework for a more wide-scaled Brexit deal.

Brussels is reportedly encouraged by the positive feedback to Thursday's talks and the backing of Irish PM Varadkar could become a key in persuading other EU leaders to support a divorce deal, Sky News said.

Earlier, the EU reportedly said that the majority of the countries in the block would support a proposal if it is also backed by the Irish prime minister.

The FTA between the UK and the EU will reportedly likely remove all tariffs on goods after the Brexit, This agreement, however, will not remove the need for all customs checks - a current sticking point in the stalled Brexit talks so far.

Last week, Johnson unveiled his new Brexit blueprint, which revolves around an all-Ireland regulatory framework on cross-border trade. Under his plan, Northern Ireland would exit the EU's customs union with the rest of the UK after the end of the transition period, albeit with some form of regulatory checks in place for goods crossing the Irish Sea from the British mainland to the six counties.

Johnson’s new proposals come as just few weeks are left before the 31 October Brexit deadline. Despite his determination to take the country out of the bloc, the parliament has already obliged him to seek an extension if no withdrawal agreement is secured by 19 October.