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A frustrated European Union and an angry Britain have urged each other to compromise to avoid a disruptive ending that is fast approaching the five-year Brexit drama that would add to the economic pain of the coronavirus crisis.
If a trade deal is not struck when Britain leaves a stalled transition period on December 31, it would wreak havoc on supply chains and undermine the European economy, as the Covid-19 disease already destroys jobs and businesses.
After a demand for concessions from the EU, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson interrupted the talks, saying it was time to prepare for a no-deal Brexit.
Since then, the EU has offered to intensify talks and open discussions on the legal texts of a draft agreement, but Britain maintains that there is no basis for resuming discussions without a fundamental shift in approach.
EU official says that after the phone call between @MichelBarnier Y @DavidGHFrost this afternoon, the two men will “stay in touch.” However, it is not yet known whether negotiations will resume later this week … https: //t.co/yy1Jwqm8qL
– Tony Connelly (@tconnellyRTE) October 20, 2020
“My message: we should make the most of the little time left,” Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, said after a phone call with his British counterpart David Frost today.
“Our door remains open.”
The European Commission said it was ready to negotiate, although both parties would have to reach a compromise.
Johnson’s spokesman said the EU had to show that it was taking a fundamentally different approach.
EU diplomats called Britain’s moves boastful and a frantic attempt to secure concessions ahead of a last-minute deal, although an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the chances of a deal were slimmed down.
“At the moment, I see the chances are worse than 50-50,” said Detlef Seif, Brexit rapporteur for Merkel’s conservatives in the lower house of parliament. “The ball is still in the court of Great Britain at the moment.”
In some European capitals there is concern that Johnson may judge that the national political benefits and potentially the long-term economic freedom of a noisy no-deal exit outweigh the benefits of a shallow trade deal.
“If they want to get back to the negotiating table, they can,” said an EU diplomat. “If they want to jump, we can’t stop them.”
“This whole stance is only aimed at strengthening Mr Johnson’s hand. If they don’t want to talk, that is their choice. It makes no sense at this time to give them anything else,” said another EU diplomat.
Britain formally left the EU in late January, but the two sides have been haggling over an agreement that would govern the trade from auto parts to drugs.
Johnson and Minister Michael Gove will tell companies in a video call today to accelerate preparations for the end of the transition period.
Meanwhile, the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs will discuss Brexit with members of the European Union Select Committee of the House of Lords at a meeting at Leinster House tomorrow morning.
The TD and senators meeting is being held with a delegation from the House of Lords EU Select Committee, including its chairman, the Earl of Kinnoull, joining remotely.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Oireachtas EU Affairs Committee Chairman Joe McHugh TD said: “The Oireachtas Committee members appreciate this opportunity to interact with the members of the House of Representatives EU Select Committee. Lords to discuss Brexit, the progress of the Market Bill and post-Brexit inter-parliamentary relations. “
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