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The EU and the UK are entering “the last week” of “substantive” post-Brexit trade negotiations, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told Sky News.
With the Brexi transition period that will end in just over a month, Lord Raab the suggested conversations could soon come to a conclusion.
However, he asked the EU to accept a “point of principle” on fisheries, which has so far been a key point in reaching an agreement.
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier returned to London this week to continue talks.
“Coming out of the transition (period), we are an independent coastal state, we have to be able to control our waters,” the chancellor told Sophy Ridge on Sunday.
“We can talk about transitions and things like that and we recognize the impact it has on other countries in Europe.
“But that principle comes with sovereignty, it comes with leaving not only the EU but also the transition period.
“I think the answer is, can the EU accept that point of principle that comes with our departure from the political club?”
Face-to-face negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and the EU were recently resumed after Brussels chief negotiator Michel Barnier and his team were forced to self-quarantine due to a positive test of COVID-19 among them.
And Mr Raab appeared to reject what is said to be the EU’s current offer on fisheries – to return between 15% and 18% of the fish stocks currently caught by EU fleets in British waters.
He said, “Sounds good? 18% control over the fish in our own waters. That can’t be correct.”
Chancellor told the EU to accept a ‘point of principle’ on fisheries
When asked if a possible deal could collapse on the fisheries issue, Mr Raab added: “I think it is important for the EU to understand the point of principle.
“If they show the pragmatism, goodwill and good faith that, to be fair, have surrounded the last stage of the talks, and we have certainly shown our flexibility, I think there is a deal to be made.”
On other outstanding issues, the foreign secretary said he “feels there is progress towards greater respect” for the UK’s position on so-called “level playing field” commitments, a set of common post-Brexit rules and standards. .
Raab said that the coronavirus pandemic – and the economic crisis that accompanies it – “should focus all our minds on doing everything we can to give the economy a little boost, both on the UK side and on the European side. continental”.
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And, when asked when the final deadline for a deal might be, the foreign secretary replied: “I am a bit reluctant to give final endorsement because goals sometimes change on the EU side.
“But I think we are in the last week of substantive negotiations. To be honest with you, the EU does change the targets.”
Without a trade deal before December 31, the EU and the UK will likely trade from January 1 under the terms of the World Trade Organization, setting tariffs in both directions.
