Irish MEP Mairead McGuinness has warned that the EU and UK could face an 'autumn rush' in Brexit negotiations due to the lack of progress so far.
Following the latest round of UK-EU trade talks, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier yesterday said the current situation was 'disappointing'.
Mr Barnier indicated the EU was still waiting for the UK's proposals on how they would implement measures for Northern Ireland set out in the withdrawal agreement.
The slow progress comes despite the UK having previously ruled out any prospect of extending the Brexit transition period beyond December.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast with Susan Keogh, Mairead McGuinness - the First Vice-President of the European Parliament - said that while Brexit isn't top of the news agenda at the moment, the EU is still fully aware of the lack of progress to date.
She explained: “If this were a time without COVID, I think the newspapers would be full of concerns around Brexit. But it’s extraordinary times, so Brexit isn’t the first agenda item.
“Yesterday was disappointing, as Michel Barnier said… he didn’t go as far as saying he was pessimistic, but he wasn’t very optimistic. From the EU side I think there’s a realism about the lack of progress and what that might mean."
Ms McGuinness said that there appears to have been 'minor progress' on the issue of fisheries, the subject of a 'level playing field' for businesses - referring to what the common rules and standards for post-Brexit trade would be - remains a sticking point.
She acknowledged the current reliance on video-conferencing for negotiations is a difficulty, but also noted that important deadlines loom for the negotiations as we head into the summer.
The Fine Gael MEP explained: “We would have huge concerns about the fact we’re heading for June 1st, and in June there will be this high-level conference… the UK and EU would have to agree to extend the current period beyond December 2020 if the negotiations are not fruitful or making progress. But as you know, the UK has firmly ruled that out.
“As we move into the summertime, the negotiations are likely to continue but we’re likely looking at an autumn rush - and there’s no certainty even at that stage that things would even be concluded."
She said the EU would be 'extremely concerned' if some people in the UK begin to believe Brexit is not as significant now as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on businesses, society and economies.
She observed: "The British government [is] gripped with dealing with the number one priority, which is public health, as all governments are.
"Maybe in that pressure zone Brexit is not seen as crucial as the public health dilemma."
She pointed to the the agri-food sector - which has been "hammered by the closure of the food services market" due to the pandemic - as one area where the EU will be keen to maintain trade with the UK in the aftermath of the current crisis.
