[ad_1]
The EU’s main Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, will report to Member States and the European Parliament this morning following the decision taken yesterday by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to keep the conversations alive.
Barnier will meet with his counterpart David Frost later today as both parties attempt to conclude a future relationship agreement in the coming days.
The phone call between Johnson and von der Leyen yesterday was described as positive and followed intense negotiations over the weekend on the issue of fair competition between the two parties, known as a level playing field.
Both sides are said to be working on a formula that would allow the EU to retaliate if the UK, over time, deviates from EU standards in a way that would give British companies a competitive advantage while continuing to operate in the single market.
Negotiators are reported to have been working on a mechanism that would allow for a consultation period on any trade distortions that might occur before the EU had the right to impose tariffs or take other measures.
If a mechanism can be found, both teams will still have to address the question of fishing. As such, this week’s talks could last for several days.
Barnier will brief EU ambassadors on the prospects for a breakthrough, but will also have to speak to MEPs, who will be increasingly alarmed that they will have to ratify a treaty they have barely been able to analyze.
Latest Brexit Stories
Britain’s business minister said the parties are still separated “on certain issues” but Johnson does not want to withdraw just yet.
Speaking on Sky News, Alok Sharma said: “We will continue to discuss, of course we are separated on certain issues, but as the prime minister said, we do not want to walk away from these talks.”
“People expect us, companies expect us in the UK to go the extra mile, and that is precisely what we are doing.”
He added: “Any agreement that we reach with the EU has to respect the fact that we are a sovereign country, an independent country and that is the basis on which we will make an agreement if there is an agreement to be made.”
The Secretary for Business also urged people not to engage in panic buying before a possible failure to reach a business deal.
With supermarkets stockpiling before January 1, he said: “I’m very confident that actually supply chains will continue to function.
“I would tell everyone to do their normal shopping like they would and I think we will find that we will be absolutely fine.”
Additional reports Reuters, PA
[ad_2]