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Despite the progress made during intense talks between UK and EU negotiators over the last few weeks, significant loopholes remain, mainly in relation to fisheries, state aid and the so-called EU level playing field. . On Sunday Lord Frost arrived in Brussels ahead of another round of negotiations with the EU and the bloc’s top negotiator, Michel Barnier. He tweeted: “I will be arriving in Brussels once again shortly for another round of negotiations with the EU and Michel Barnier this afternoon. Our British team and I have been in talks almost every day since 22 October.
“We are working to reach an agreement, but the only one that is possible is one that is compatible with our sovereignty and regains control of our laws, our trade 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 yet to be agreed.
“We will work to build on these and reach a general agreement if we can.
Brexit news: David Frost has been attacked as a Brexiteer (Image: AFP)
Brexit news: Ben Habib questioned why David Frost is still negotiating with the EU (Image: @ benhabib6 / Twitter)
Why are you still negotiating if the significant items have not yet been agreed?
“But we may not succeed. Either way, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson made clear on October 16, people and businesses must prepare for the change that is coming on December 31, most of which it happens whether there is an agreement or not. “
However, comments from the UK’s lead negotiator that the UK and the EU “now largely have draft common treaty texts, although of course important elements have not yet been agreed”, sparked a furious reaction. of the ex-MEP of the Brexit Party.
Habib tweeted: “Why are you still negotiating if the important elements have not yet been agreed?
“You and Boris Johnson were clear on October 15 that there would be no negotiations until the EU relented on its position on state aid and fisheries. So what are you negotiating?
READ MORE: Frost on the brink of agreement with ‘widely agreed’ treaty
Brexit news: Ben Habib said ‘these conflicting indications point to bad business’ (Image: @ benhabib6 / Twitter)
Habib added: “Somehow, in the midst of the lack of agreement on the key points, have you agreed on the draft text of a new treaty? These things don’t happen overnight.”
“These conflicting indications point to bad business. Is David Frost good business?”
The outbreak came after Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney warned that the EU will not accept a trade deal if Boris Johnson continues to push his government’s controversial internal market bill.
Downing Street has insisted that it will go ahead with elements of the proposed legislation that would allow the government to violate international law, even though its peers in the House of Lords voted against them last Monday.
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Brexit news: David Frost warned UK ‘may not be successful’ in agreeing to EU trade deal (Image: GETTY)
Brexit news: Simon Coveney sent Boris Johnson another warning about his search for the Internal Market Bill (Image: GETTY)
Coveney told Sky News: “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 the 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 breaching the existing agreement that is not even 12 months old and is violating international law by doing so.”
He said a trade deal between the UK and the EU can still be reached, adding: “I think I would sum it up by saying that this is very difficult but also very feasible.”
“And I think the consequences of not getting a trade agreement and a future relationship before the end of the year are very important.”
Environment Secretary George Eustice had previously warned that next week is “a week when things must move” if the UK and the EU want to reach a trade deal.
Brexit news: the transition period between the UK and the EU ends on December 31 (Image: EXPRESS)
He said: “Both parties recognize that time is very, very short. Not long ago we said that we needed to come to some kind of conclusion in mid-October,” he said.
“People have persevered in these conversations. Frankly, there comes a point where companies need to know what they are preparing for.
“You can always take advantage of the extra time if you need it, if you are around.
“But, I agree with Simon Coveney, maybe we can agree on this … this should be a week where things are moving, when we get over some of these tough issues and get a resolution and at least have some kind of headlines – if you want – of a deal.
“Otherwise it becomes quite difficult and we start to run out of time to implement it.”
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