France: UK should use Frost's resignation as opportunity to build trust
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Frost's resignation, according to France, should be taken advantage of to build trust between the UK and the European Union.
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David Frost & Clement Beaune in their meeting in Paris, France on November 4, 2021.
Following Brexit minister David Frost's resignation, the French government called on UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to "rebuild trust" with the European Union.
The French EU foreign affairs minister, Clement Beaune, suggested that London should take the opportunity to mitigate the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
He said, “We had difficult relations but we always continued the dialogue. I send my best with respect to David Frost after his resignation. It is time for the British government to rebuild a climate of trust with France and the EU in the interest of all.”
Liz Truss, who is to take Frost's place to manage the UK's relationship with the European Union, is one of the most vocal supporters of Brexit.
"The Foreign Secretary is to become lead negotiator with the EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol, following the departure of Lord Frost," Johnson's office said in a statement.
"Liz Truss will take over Ministerial responsibility for the UK's relationship with the European Union with immediate effect."
Addressing Frost's resignation, an EU diplomat commented: “Hopefully the new negotiator will be more pragmatic, making good relations with the EU and its member states relations a priority over the pursuit of a pure, antagonistic Brexit – we’re not holding our breath.”
In Brussels, few tears were shed, “Lord Frost never got Brexit done; he actually made sure it endured using the Northern Ireland protocol to get his way,” one senior EU diplomat said. “But one year on from the deal he negotiated, what did it bring the UK? Apart from mistrust and deteriorated relationships with most member states?”
The diplomat added, “Frost seemed to have a very ideological idea of what Brexit meant and that didn’t make for good neighborly relations. For now, the European court of justice was a bridge too far for Downing Street, but it will depend on his successor whether we indeed see a more pragmatic line emerge.”
Frost had intentions to push the negotiations regarding the Northern Ireland border to the maximum, finishing the negotiations and guaranteeing that there is no border on the island of Ireland.
