Jeremy Miles MS, Counsel General and Minister for European Transition
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
On Thursday 29 October, Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) met for the fourth time this year. The communique can be found online (external link).
The meeting began with an update on preparedness matters; there was general agreement that there had been an improvement with the UK Government starting to share more detailed information about their assumptions and contingency plans, although I highlighted that we are still yet to see the full list of preparedness projects. I also pressed for details relating to border control matters at the Welsh ports, and on the UK Government’s plans for economic stimulus measures and support for particularly at-risk sectors in the event of failing to agree a trade deal, as well as the implications of an end to the transition period without a trade deal for food supplies and data transfers. We were promised further discussions on these issues.
The meeting also received an update on the EU negotiations. This gave me the opportunity to press the UK Government on engaging with us to discuss potential trade-offs in the final stages of the negotiations. I also pressed on specific matters including technical barriers to trade and rules of origin, the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications and services, particularly services linked to goods. I again stressed how essential it was that the UK Government, as well as the EU, showed sufficient flexibility to clinch an agreement.
Finally, the meeting discussed the Internal Market Bill. I again emphasised our strong opposition to many elements of the Bill but our willingness to engage with the Government, as we were with peers, on amendments to the Bill that might make it acceptable.
There is no date proposed at this point for the next JMC(EN) but I will keep Members informed on developments.