MLex reports on rival visions of a Brexit deal

One year after the UK began the process of leaving the EU, two rival visions of a Brexit agreement have crystallised, according to a new MLex special report, ‘Rival visions of a Brexit deal’. The report draws on the EU’s ‘Greek temple’ vision of a deal to discuss whether the two rival visions can converge. The UK has proposed that it remain a de facto participant in the single market for certain regulated sectors such as cars, aircraft and medicines, as well as cooperation on security. In turn, the EU has sketched out a ‘Greek temple’ vision of a deal, consisting of four pillars for trade relations, home affairs, foreign policy and cooperation agreements on aviation, fisheries and education, and a roof for the governance and dispute resolution mechanism. The foundation is made up of an agreement to preserve a level playing field between the EU and UK markets, with a package of measures on state aid, environmental protections and labour law. Both sides hope to agree a model between March and October, and to finalise negotiations by December 2020.