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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned that talks with the European Union on a trade deal were proving “very complicated” ahead of a crucial meeting with the top Brussels official.
Johnson said he still had hopes of reaching an agreement, but that it was proving “very, very difficult” to move forward.
Later this week, Johnson will head to Brussels for a face-to-face conversation with European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen in an attempt to salvage a deal, and time is running out before current trade deals expire. at the end of the month.
Johnson said he hoped the “power of sweet reason” would triumph, but Brussels had to accept that there were limits to the terms the UK would be willing to accept.
Talks have failed over issues of fishing rights, “level playing field” measures aimed at preventing the UK from undermining the EU on state subsidies and rules, and how any deal will be governed.
In a message to Brussels, Johnson said: “Our friends have just understood that the UK has left the EU in order to exercise democratic control over the way we do things.
“There is also the issue of fishing, where we are still very far away.
“But hope is eternal, I’ll do my best to fix it if we can.”
Johnson’s trip to Brussels is seen as a watershed moment for the process after months of talks led by Lord Frost and Michel Barnier of the EU.
Johnson acknowledged that there may be a point where it is “time to draw stumps” and accept that a deal is impossible.
“There are limits beyond which no sensible and independent government or country could go and people have to understand that.”
He again insisted the UK “will prosper tremendously” with or without a trade deal with the European Union, despite grim warnings from the UK budget regulator and the Bank of England governor of the impact.
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Meanwhile, in Dublin, Cabinet today will receive what Foreign Minister Simon Coveney has called a comprehensive overview of the country’s Brexit preparations.
The analysis is expected to cover contingency planning for both a trade agreement reached between the EU and the UK and a no-deal scenario.
Mr. Coveney said the stakes are high and “what we are doing as a government is making sure we are fully prepared for all scenarios.”
German European Affairs Minister Michael Roth said “political will in London” was needed to reach an agreement.
“Let me be very clear, our future relationship is based on trust and security,” he said.
“It is precisely this trust that is at stake in our negotiations at this time. We want to reach an agreement, but not at any price.”
A day has not yet been set for Mr. Johnson’s meeting with Ms. Von der Leyen, but it is expected later this week and follows a long phone call yesterday.
The Times reported that fisheries negotiations have remained stalled over the length of the transition period for European trawlers to adjust to agreed changes in fishing rights.
The newspaper said the EU wants a ten-year grace period, while the UK wants it to be tied back to three.
The leaders of the 27 EU member states will meet in Brussels on Thursday for a two-day summit, which could give a political boost to a deal.
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