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Brussels sources said that several influential EU states have asked the European Commission to significantly accelerate preparations for a no-deal Brexit by year-end. But in a private meeting after the latest round of talks, senior diplomats insisted that any move must be unilateral and not help Britain avoid potential disruptions in the New Year. A source said: “We need to revive our contingency planning from last year. This must go through the European Parliament and the Council; time is running out.
“It is not time for parallel negotiations on mini agreements.”
A second source added: “A large number of Member States asked the Commission to publish contingency proposals as soon as possible.
“Now we are in the last stage of the negotiations and there is the possibility of accidents in the last six weeks.”
Last year, the bloc braced for divorce talks to break up without a deal due to disagreements over controversial Northern Ireland backing.
Senior Eurocrats produced a series of new regulations to ensure the disruption of air and road travel, vital supplies of food and medicine, and limited fishing.
Now they plan to bring many of them back with the threat of an “accidental” no-deal still on the cards, according to an EU source.
The Brexit talks will run through December after another round of disputes ended without a breakthrough.
On Thursday, chief negotiators Michel Barnier and Lord Frost had to stop face-to-face discussions after a member of the EU team contracted coronavirus.
Britain’s refusal to give in to EU demands on fishing rights and state aid rules had blocked any hope of progress.
EU sources said both sides were getting closer to an agreement on most issues despite the deadlock.
In a private meeting, the bloc’s 27 ambassadors were told that progress was now “too slow” and that the UK and EU teams now run the risk of running out of time to reach an agreement.
The roadblocks at major hot spots were described as “philosophical,” according to one source.
MUST READ: EU fury when David Frost refuses to budge on red fishing lines
Future business negotiations will be conducted via video conference until it is deemed safe to resume in person.
The pandemic had already disrupted talks in March when Barnier contracted coronavirus.
Lord Frost also self isolated after developing symptoms.
Brexit transition agreements end in six weeks.
Any deal must be approved by UK and European parliaments, as well as member states, before it can be introduced.
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