Boris Johnson Phones Angela Merkel As Brexit Deal Deadline Approaches

BORIS JOHNSON held phone conversations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel as the countdown to the Brexit deal deadline continues.

The two leaders spoke today, a day after Johnson held similar talks with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The intensive diplomacy comes apparently with only a few days to reach agreement on a future trade deal between Britain and Brussels.

Johnson told the German leader that a deal was the desirable outcome, but that he was prepared to leave the Brexit transition period at the end of the year on Australian-style terms with the EU if necessary.

Both sides have said that an agreement needs to be reached in October to ensure sufficient time for ratification.

Johnson has previously said that he wants a deal on a free trade deal before next week’s EU summit in the Belgian capital on Thursday.

Referring to the Prime Minister, a Downing Street spokesperson said: “He described the current situation regarding negotiations on the future relationship between the UK and the EU, emphasizing the UK’s desire to reach an agreement.

“The Prime Minister emphasized that while reaching an agreement in the next few days would be beneficial to both parties, the UK was also prepared to end the transition period on Australia-style terms if an agreement were not possible.

“The Prime Minister emphasized that progress must be made in the coming days to bridge important gaps, particularly in the areas of fishing and a level playing field, through the process of intense talks between the main negotiators.

The phone conversations came before UK and EU negotiators resumed informal negotiations next week in Brussels, and time is running out to agree on a post-Brexit trade deal.

Lead negotiators Michel Barnier and David Frost met on Friday for face-to-face talks in London.

Johnson and Merkel also discussed the coronavirus crisis in their bilateral discussions.