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Downing Street this week laughed at the EU plans, which would have given British fishermen a boost of up to 18 per cent of catch quotas in our waters, even before it landed in London. Brexit negotiations have been stalled for months on the issue of fishing rights and talks are coming to the threads ahead of the December 31 transition deadline.
But the UK did not give in to pressure despite the escalation from the EU’s lead negotiator, warning that Brussels would have to make further progress before a deal is possible.
Barnier traveled to London on Friday in a final attempt to avoid a tumultuous end to the Brexit talks, where in-person negotiations with Lord David Frost will resume in the city today.
There is little time to secure a free trade agreement between the two parties, and the transition period will end in just over a month.
With just five weeks until the UK finally exits the EU orbit on December 31, both sides are asking the other to engage on the three main issues in dispute: fisheries, state aid and how to resolve any future disputes.
Under the EU fishing plan, British fishermen would have seen their catch quotas increase between 15 and 18 percent for certain species.
But a UK source close to the talks said the escalation was not enough, telling Express.co.uk: “It’s ridiculous, there’s nothing more to say about it.”
READ MORE: Brexit LIVE: Boris maintains a wake-up call with the Irish leader ahead of the talks
“At this late stage, it is still possible to reach an agreement and we are working towards it. We will continue negotiating during the weekend to that end. ” Lord Frost called on Brussels on Friday to respect the sovereignty of the UK.
Writing on Twitter on Friday, he said that while it was “late” to reach an agreement, it was still “possible” to reach an agreement.
He added: “Some people ask me why we keep talking. My answer is that it is my job to do everything I can to see if the conditions for a deal exist. It is late, but a deal is still possible, and I will.” keep talking until it is clear that this is not the case.
“But for a deal to be possible, it must fully respect UK sovereignty. That’s not just a word, it has practical consequences. That includes: controlling our borders, deciding on a robust and principled subsidy control system; and control our fishing waters. ” .
“We seek to reach an agreement on this basis, allowing the new beginning of our relationship with the EU which, for our part, we have always wanted.
“We will continue to work hard to achieve this, because an agreement on any other basis is not possible.”
Britain formally left the EU on January 31, but has been in a transitional period since then under which the rules on trade, travel and business remain unchanged. From the beginning of 2021 it will be treated by Brussels as a third country.
An EU diplomat said there are “only a few days left” for the talks, which have previously continued with numerous missed deadlines.
They added: “The gaps in level playing field, governance and fisheries remain large.
“Without London making the necessary decisions quickly, reaching an agreement will be almost impossible.”
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