MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Brexit: abandonment of infringement proceedings and continuation of negotiations with the United Kingdom

B9‑0337/2020

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on Brexit: abandonment of infringement proceedings and continuation of negotiations with the United Kingdom

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rule 143 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas, on 1 October, the Commission sent a letter of formal notice to the United Kingdom for alleged breach of its obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement ; whereas this step marks the commencement of formal infringement proceedings;

B. whereas, according to the Commission, the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill of 9 September infringes Article 5 of the Withdrawal Agreement, which provides that the European Union and the United Kingdom ‘shall take all appropriate measures, whether general or particular, to ensure fulfilment of the obligations arising from this Agreement and shall refrain from any measures which could jeopardise the attainment of the objectives of this Agreement’;

1. Takes the view that the Internal Market Bill cannot be considered a ‘measure’ within the meaning of Article 5, given that a bill is a proposal without any binding effect, unlike an act, which is a fully-fledged statute;

2. Considers that the formal infringement procedure against the United Kingdom is therefore akin to ‘vexatious litigation’;

3. Urges the Commission to drop the infringement proceedings and continue negotiations with the United Kingdom.