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[scion]

EU officials scornful over UK's performance in Brexit negotiations, leaked report shows

Laura Hughes, political correspondent 23 NOVEMBER 2017 • 11:26AM
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/23/eu-officials-scornful-uks-performance-brexit-negotiations-leaked/

The Government's performance in the Brexit negotiations has been branded chaotic and incoherent, according to a leaked paper setting out the private views of European officials.

An internal Irish government document reveals top EU figures describing Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, as "unimpressive".

The confidential document, which has been obtained by RTE news, also shows officials bemoaning "the quality of politicians in Westminster".

The paper is based on a collection of political reports from Irish embassies across Europe between Nov 6 and 10.

It claims the Czech deputy minister for foreign affairs Jakub Durr told officials "he felt sorry for British ambassadors around the EU trying to communicate a coherent message when there is political confusion at home".

It also notes that Brexit was barely mentioned during a meeting between David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, and French ministers for defence and foreign affairs - something which was viewed as a wasted opportunity.

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At a glance | Brexit roadblocks
Three particularly thorny issues stand in the way of the European Union and United Kingdom progressing with Brexit negotiations:

1. The “Brexit bill” – the EU commits funding to projects on a five-year basis. While a member, the UK signed off on these budgets. The EU regards this as a financial commitment, while the UK says it will not benefit from these projects.

2. Citizens’ rights – Brexit will end the treaties guaranteeing the legal status of EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens living and working in the EU. Both sides want to resolve this issue, but cannot agree on who should arbitrate disputes. The UK is unwilling to accept the continued supremacy of the European Court of Justice.

3. The Irish border – Northern Ireland will be exiting the European Union, but the Republic of Ireland will remain. Post-Brexit, the two countries face the prospect of a fortified land border, due to customs and immigration regulations. Both sides are wary of derailing the Northern Ireland peace process.
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In another meeting, a minister in the Czech government described Mr Johnson as "unimpressive" but noted that at least he had "avoided any gaffes" during a visit in September.

Ian Forrester, the British judge in the European Court of Justice, is reported to have bemoaned "the quality of politicians in Westminster" during a meeting in Luxembourg.

He is also said to have questioned whether the British public would view Brexit as "a great mistake" when they realised what leaving the EU entailed.

The report was compiled just weeks after Theresa May told EU leaders in Brussels that focus would be on three key issues.

It highlights the significant concerns that will make it difficult to progress negotiations ahead of next month's summit.

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin has declined to comment on the report.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/23/eu-officials-scornful-uks-performance-brexit-negotiations-leaked/