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The POST-BREXIT TRADE talks will continue, as the European Commission president said he is “responsible at this time to go the extra mile.”
In a joint statement, Ursula von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed to continue negotiations.
Earlier this week, they set today as the deadline to make a decision on the future of trade negotiations.
“I had a constructive and helpful phone call with Prime Minister Boris Johnson,” von der Leyen said this afternoon.
He said they discussed the “major unresolved issues” that stand in the way of an agreement. These include fishing rights and the so-called level playing field “ratchet” that would bind the UK to future EU rules.
We had a helpful call with @BorisJohnson this morning.
We agree that the talks will continue.https: //t.co/rZpN4PmS1i
– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 13, 2020
“Our negotiating teams have been working around the clock for the past few days,” he said.
He added that despite missing deadlines “time and time again”, both leaders believe that he is “responsible at this time to make an additional effort.”
Negotiations will continue in Brussels and von der Leyen said they will determine “whether an agreement can be reached even at this late stage.”
Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said this statement is a “good sign.”
“It is time to keep your nerves and allow the negotiators to move slowly, even in this last stage. The joint statement on the Brexit negotiations is a good sign. A clearly very difficult deal, but possible, ”he said on Twitter.
It is time to keep your nerves and allow negotiators to move slowly, even in this last stage. Joint statement on #Brexit negotiations are a good sign. A clearly very difficult deal, but possible. https://t.co/TfN0p9nQ9G
– Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) December 13, 2020
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Earlier today, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it would be a “terrible failure of the art of government” if a trade agreement is not reached.
On January 31 this year, the UK officially left the European Union, prompting its MEPs to leave the European Parliament and the UK no longer had an EU commissioner.
Between that date and December 31, known as the “transition period”, it continues to be part of the Single Market and the Customs Union.
During that time, trade talks have been held in London or Brussels. More than 95% of the questions have been agreed and written in a legal text.
With information from Gráinne Ní Aodha
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