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According to sources in the newspaper, the parties have practically agreed on the conditions for the right of EU countries to use fishing waters within the British economic zone, where transitional rules will apply for a period of between five and seven years.
Sky News sources in the EU also speak of “significant progress” but also quote a government source as saying that “nothing new has been achieved”.
Negotiations were suspended on Friday, but after a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier and his British counterpart David Frost they met again in Brussels.
If the parties do not agree as a whole, an extra-contractual situation awaits after the New Year, with consequences difficult to understand. From the British side come assurances that London is not afraid of the so-called hard Brexit. Most ministers back the prime minister if he concludes that a deal is not in Britain’s interest, writes The Times.
“The British are ready”
Agriculture Minister George Eustice told Sky News that the country has made extensive preparations for a non-contractual situation and is ready to move forward with those plans if that is what remains.
– We continue working with the negotiations until they no longer make any sense, he says.
Irish Foreign Secretary Simon Coveney doubts that the British are really willing to reject a deal.
“Agreement is more likely than not,” Coveney told the Irish Sunday Independent.
Fishing is a crucial issue
Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen wrote in a joint statement after Saturday’s talks that “significant differences” remain on three crucial issues: competition rules, how the deal should be regulated, and fishing.
But now the fisheries issue seems to be resolved.
France, in particular, has lobbied for EU fishermen to continue to have access to British fishing waters. French EU Minister Clément Beaune said in an interview with the Journal du Dimanche that France is aware that the time for full access to the British fishing zone is over.
– But we need long-term access. The British cannot have full access to the internal EU market and exclude fishing, Beaune said.
The UK formally left the EU on January 31 this year, but until the turn of the year it is subject to transitional rules to make things easier for businesses and the general public.
Britt-Marie Seibold / TT
Filip Norman / TT
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