Following British reporting of the EU summit, one might be forgiven for thinking that EU leaders are almost wholly preoccupied with Brexit to the exclusion of all else. In fact, the issue was largely an also-ran on the sidelines of the meeting, with more than one leader expressing bewilderment at what exactly the UK wants, and prime minister Theresa May casting little light. She spoke cryptically of a trade deal with the EU involving a UK linking “with, and operation within” the single market, a formula that would seem to imply an external association while enjoying the benefits of membership. Or having your cake and eating it.
It was gratifying, however, that Taoiseach Enda Kenny was able to report that in bilateral discussions commission president Jean Claude Juncker accepted the need to see the Brexit implications for North-South relations discussed early in the negotiations with the UK.
The main focus was relations with Russia, roundly condemned for its bombing of Aleppo. But consensus on extending sanctions against Russia was not forthcoming. The final declaration said only that "all available options" remain on the table after leaders clashed over using more pointed language. While the UK, France and Germany want a harsher tone with Russia, Italy's Matteo Renzi led those who oppose the move.
The summit discussed the flow of migrants across the Mediterranean, and signalled a hardening of attitudes towards those arriving from Africa, specifically "migration compacts" with five African countries which would seek to ensure that those arriving in Europe who are not eligible for asylum will be deported. And leaders agreed a package of new trade measures against product dumping in the European market.
The leaders heard reports on two blockages of important aspects of external policy, a Canadian trade deal and an EU-Ukrainian accord, both held up by individual national vetoes. Talks are ongoing with the Wallonian regional parliament over its opposition to the Canadian-EU free trade deal (Ceta), which is ready to be signed. Belgium cannot provide the unanimity required among member states until all its regional parliaments sign up, a reality that should reassure those who insist the EU's trade deals are imposed from above with little democratic accountability. But what some may see as this excess of democracy may bode ill for other looming trade deals, notably that with the US, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
A referendum last year opposing the partnership deal with Ukraine has produced a similar Dutch veto on signing, and an apologetic Dutch PM told the leaders that he was not optimistic of reaching a deal. With or without the obstructionist UK, the EU is going to have to find new ways of circumventing decision-making gridlock.