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Brussels sources said Michel Barnier believes that Boris Johnson’s threat to break the Withdrawal Agreement had created a “more open atmosphere” in talks with British negotiator Lord Frost. And high-level diplomatic sources told Express.co.uk that the EU’s chief negotiator had identified several “landing zones”. “For commitments to break the deadlock on a post-Brexit trade deal. Barnier was said not to be intimidated by the recent dispute over Downing Street’s willingness to annul parts of the divorce settlement related to Northern Ireland.
He promised to “stay calm” and remain at the negotiating table despite what was seen as deliberate provocation by No.10 to force him to leave the talks.
The Frenchman told a recent meeting of EU27 ministers that the internal market bill “does not help,” but insisted that it is “focused on the end of the negotiations,” according to a source familiar with the talks.
Another source said the legislation had created an “opening” in the talks when they came to an end.
Barnier met today with Lord Frost, the Prime Minister’s Brexit envoy, to prepare for the formal ninth round of negotiations in Brussels.
Arriving in London, the Brussels diplomat said: “I am determined.
“We remain calm, respectful, realistic and firm.”
Next week’s session is considered vital to reach an agreement before the October deadline set by both parties.
British officials have complained that the dispute over a post-Brexit trade deal has stalled due to the EU’s refusal to give in on its demands for continued access to Britain’s fishing grounds and a regulatory playing field.
But a diplomatic source said Barnier is “realistic” that an agreement can be reached before the end of the year.
“A deal is still possible in line with the interests of the EU and the UK’s three red lines,” they told Express.co.uk.
Another source involved in the discussions said that a fisheries deal “in theory shouldn’t be difficult,” but is expected to be postponed until the end of the talks.
“Having talked for so long, negotiators know where the landing zones are,” they added.
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They believe any future relationship pact will ease Downing Street’s concerns about Northern Ireland’s separation from the mainland.
And reports that Johnson is willing to delay the route of his Brexit bill through Parliament were well received in Brussels.
Sources said the bloc is now confident that the prime minister will be able to remove sections of the legislation that allow ministers to break parts of the divorce agreement.
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