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State Minister Thomas Byrne has said he doubts that the conversation between British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the President of the European Commission, Ursula Ursula von der Leyen, will lead to a breakthrough in EU trade talks today. and the UK.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today show, Byrne said: “I think it’s fair to say that the talks between (EU lead negotiator) Michel Barnier and (UK lead negotiator) David Frost have been difficult, they have been discussed a great variety of subjects but there are big problems: fisheries, the problems of the internal market, the equality of conditions, these are the big problems that still have to be solved.
“Personally I don’t expect there to be any big progress today, but at the same time I think it’s very good that the first two are talking, I think that’s very positive, but I don’t think we would wait ‘a moment.’ ‘at this particular point. “
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When asked if he thought it was time to put the negotiators aside and for the heads of state to commit themselves to an agreement, the Minister of State for European Affairs said: “No, Ursula von der Leyen, Michel Barnier … they speak on behalf of all Europeans, individual member states do not, this is how the European Union works.
“At the moment there are a wide variety of issues that need to be discussed on a technical level and, I hope, continue.
“I hope that today’s discussion between Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson progresses further.”
Johnson should speak to Ms Von der Leyen to discuss the situation in the stalled trade talks.
Frost was in the Belgian capital to speak face to face with Barnier earlier this week.
Meetings between the pair will continue next week in London after the two agreed that gaps remain in the UK and the bloc’s positions as the deadline to close a deal approaches.
After the talks ended on Wednesday, Barnier informed EU MEPs and diplomats that “very serious divergences” remained, with only 54 days left in the transition period.
He said the main obstacles remained around the “level playing field” aimed at preventing unfair competition in areas that include state subsidies, fisheries policy and the governance of any deal.
Frost previously said that progress had been made during two weeks of intense talks, but that “large divergences persist on some central issues.”
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