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Michael Gove is about to appear in front of the Future Relationship with the EU Committee again. Will watch and tweet some highlights - 
to follow
Here's a reminder of what he said last time
https://twitter.com/DomWalsh13/status/1237700713481932800
to follow Here's a reminder of what he said last time
https://twitter.com/DomWalsh13/status/1237700713481932800
First question, predictably, is on whether the Government's timetable is still realistic given Coronavirus.
Gove says it is still "entirely possible" to complete negotiations on time, without extension. Same as last time https://twitter.com/DomWalsh13/status/1237701873186017280
Gove says it is still "entirely possible" to complete negotiations on time, without extension. Same as last time
https://twitter.com/DomWalsh13/status/1237701873186017280
Asked about publication of UK's draft legal texts, Gove says the UK will publish texts "in a matter of weeks".
(For context: both sides have produced draft FTAs, but only the EU have published their draft).
(For context: both sides have produced draft FTAs, but only the EU have published their draft).
What kind of customs checks should businesses prepare for under the Northern Ireland Protocol?
Gove says this is subject to discussion and work in the Joint Committee and the Specialised Committee.
Plus ca change... https://twitter.com/DomWalsh13/status/1237701215024267267
Gove says this is subject to discussion and work in the Joint Committee and the Specialised Committee.
Plus ca change... https://twitter.com/DomWalsh13/status/1237701215024267267
Why have logistics associations such as the Road Haulage Association and Freight Transport Association called for a transition extension?
"I think you'll have to ask them". Adds that the govt's Border Delivery Group has been in contact with logistics industry
"I think you'll have to ask them". Adds that the govt's Border Delivery Group has been in contact with logistics industry
Will Government walk away from talks if there isn't sufficient progress by mid/end June?
Gove says both sides will "take stock" of progress. "I wouldn't want to pre-empt that decision."
Gove says both sides will "take stock" of progress. "I wouldn't want to pre-empt that decision."
Gove: the Government is asking for a set of arrangements based on existing precedents, not a bespoke relationship. Agreement on the EU side to that would be consistent and should not be complicated.
Gove: the EU is still trying to make the UK adhere to more conditions than it has required of other countries in FTAs (such as on level-playing field).
However, he does not think this is an example of bad faith (this also came up last time) https://twitter.com/DomWalsh13/status/1237720430687014913
However, he does not think this is an example of bad faith (this also came up last time) https://twitter.com/DomWalsh13/status/1237720430687014913
Gove says first Joint Committee meeting went broadly as expected.
Adds that he raised with EU Commission VP Maros Sefcovic that not all member states have yet done enough when it comes to safeguarding the rights of UK citizens in the EU.
Adds that he raised with EU Commission VP Maros Sefcovic that not all member states have yet done enough when it comes to safeguarding the rights of UK citizens in the EU.
Gove: there is nothing in the NI Protocol that undermines the territorial integrity of the United Kingdom. Any additional checks will be done by UK officials. EU has the right to monitor this, but here is no need for an EU "mini-embassy" in Belfast to facilitate this.
Asked whether dynamically aligning with EU State Aid law would have hindered government measures to tackle coronavirus.
Gove points out that EU has waived state aid law during the crisis, but adds that government still wants maximum flexibility
Gove points out that EU has waived state aid law during the crisis, but adds that government still wants maximum flexibility
: Gove says EU stance is "difficult and challenging". On other areas they say you can't have the same benefits outside the EU as you did inside. But on fishing, they don't seem to accept the logic of their own argument.Yep: https://twitter.com/DomWalsh13/status/1233358830689542146
Gove: on governance, the EU is treating the UK as if it were a potential accession country like the Ukraine, not a sovereign independent country. Their insistence on monitoring UK adherence to the ECHR is something it doesn't even ask of its own member states
Gove: UK has tabled draft legal texts on trade, security and other areas - *only* exception is fishing. Reason for the delay in tabling the fishing draft is because they wanted to make sure the EU understood the UK's position first.
Why has the UK proposed multiple agreements whereas the EU has proposed one overarching agreement?
Gove says this likely reflects differences in philosophy. Overarching "association agreement" style relationships tend to be used for accession countries, UK wants to be sovereign
Gove says this likely reflects differences in philosophy. Overarching "association agreement" style relationships tend to be used for accession countries, UK wants to be sovereign
Gove: no need for an agreement on foreign policy/defence, existing mechanisms (bilateral relationship with France; NATO) are sufficient
