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The issue of fisheries remains one of the areas of divergence between the two sides and Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney has admitted that concessions must be made. Amid fears that the two sides will not be able to reach an agreement in time for next week’s deadline, Coveney insisted that a proposal must be presented that both parties “can live with.” Speaking this morning, he said: “We really have to try to find a way to come to a compromise on fish that both parties can live with.
“And we have to try to reduce the language on this because it is very easy to get emotional.”
After the talks produced no serious movement last week, Nov. 19 is believed to be the next deadline for a deal to be reached.
However, during his interview with Sky News, Coveney admitted that time is now running out for the EU Parliament to complete the ratification process if a deal is reached.
The Irish official also indicated that the EU will not agree to any trade agreement if the UK persists with the retention clauses of the Internal Market Act that violate elements of the Withdrawal Agreement.
The House of Lords voted in favor of two amendments to remove clauses from the legislation that would violate international law: the clauses relate to state aid in Northern Ireland and customs clearance declarations.
Downing Street has said it will resubmit the clauses later this month when it returns to Parliament.
If Boris Johnson did this, Coveney stated that an agreement will not be ratified by the EU.
Mr. Coveney said, “We are running out of time now.
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“Even if we get a new trade deal negotiated by both parties, if the British government is determined to continue with its Internal Market Bill – to reintroduce parts of that bill that were removed by the House of Lords this week – So I think this is an agreement that will not be ratified by the EU.
“Because there is no way the EU will agree to ratify a new agreement if the British government is breaking the existing agreement that is not even 12 months old, and violating international law by doing so.”
On the issue of fisheries, the EU has stated that it should have access to UK waters similar to that which it has enjoyed under the Common Fisheries Policy.
Now that the UK is out of the EU, government officials have insisted that Brussels has not realized the new British sovereignty.
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Lord David Frost made reference to the need for the EU to respect the UK’s new sovereignty ahead of the latest round of talks this week.
He said: “We are working to reach an agreement, but the only possible is one that is compatible with our sovereignty and regains control of our laws, our commerce and our waters.”
“That has been our constant position from the beginning and I will not change it.
“There has been some progress in a positive direction in recent days.
We also now largely have draft common treaty texts, although of course important elements have not yet been agreed.
“We will work to take advantage of them and reach a general agreement if we can.”
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