I know many people are concerned as the UK continues through the transition period while tackling a very serious health emergency.
The UK left the EU on 31 January. A transition period has followed during which market access remains the same and the UK and EU are negotiating an agreement on their future relationship. The manifesto I stood on was clear that the transition period would not be extended beyond December 2020 and this has been put into law.
The Withdrawal Agreement provides for an extension of the transition period, but this must be agreed by 1 July 2020. The UK Government has stated that it will not seek an extension and the WAA contains provisions which would make it unlawful for the UK to do so.
The outbreak of COVID-19 is serious and my ministerial colleagues are doing everything they can to tackle the virus based on the latest scientific and medical advice. The latest round of negotiations took place via videoconference at the end of April and further rounds will take place in the weeks commencing 11 May and 1 June.
I appreciate that you have concerns about the deadline but ministers have already shown that they are able to negotiate international agreements with speed and efficiency. The Withdrawal Agreement was re-opened and re-negotiated in under three months despite many believing that this would be not be possible. A high-level summit will take place in June where both sides intend to take stock of progress.
The UK and the EU share closely aligned interests and I am confident that the determination and willingness of the Parties to reach a free trade agreement will ensure that the matter is brought to a conclusion by the end of 2020 as legally committed to in good faith by both parties as part of the transition period.
Rwy’n gwybod bod nifer o bobl yn poeni wrth i’r DU barhau drwy'r cyfnod pontio ar yr un pryd â mynd i'r afael ag argyfwng iechyd difrifol dros ben.
Roedd y DU wedi gadael yr UE ar 31 Ionawr. Mae cyfnod pontio wedi dilyn ac yn ystod y cyfnod hwnnw mae mynediad i’r farchnad wedi aros yr un fath ac mae'r DU a’r UE yn negodi cytundeb ar eu perthynas yn y dyfodol. Roedd y maniffesto roeddwn i wedi’i gynnig yn glir na fyddai’r cyfnod pontio yn mynd y tu hwnt i fis Rhagfyr 2020 ac mae hyn wedi’i ddatgan mewn cyfraith.
Mae'r Cytundeb Gadael yn darparu ar gyfer estyniad i’r cyfnod pontio, ond mae’n rhaid cytuno ar hwn erbyn 1 Gorffennaf 2020. Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi datgan na fydd yn gofyn am estyniad ac mae'r WAA yn cynnwys darpariaethau a fyddai’n golygu ei bod hi’n anghyfreithlon i’r DU wneud hynny.
Mae’r achosion o COVID-19 yn ddifrifol iawn ac mae fy nghyd-Weinidogion yn gwneud eu gorau glas i fynd i’r afael â’r feirws ar sail y cyngor gwyddonol a meddygol diweddaraf. Cafodd y rownd ddiwethaf o drafodaethau ei gohirio ac mae’r naill ochr a’r llall yn edrych ar ffyrdd gwahanol o gynnal y trafodaethau.
Rwyf yn gwerthfawrogi eich bod yn poeni am y dyddiad cau ond mae Gweinidogion eisoes wedi dangos eu bod yn gallu negodi cytundebau rhyngwladol yn gyflym ac yn effeithlon. Cafodd y Cytundeb Gadael ei ailagor a'i ail-negodi mewn llai na thri mis er gwaethaf y ffaith bod nifer yn credu na fyddai hyn yn bosibl.
Mae'r DU a’r UE yn rhannu buddiannau tebyg iawn ac rwyf yn hyderus y bydd penderfyniad a pharodrwydd y Partïon i gyrraedd cytundeb masnach rydd yn sicrhau bod y mater yn cael ei ddatrys erbyn diwedd 2020 yn unol â’r ymrwymiad cyfreithiol ac mewn ewyllys da gan y ddau barti fel rhan o’r cyfnod pontio.