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Top Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier traveled to London this weekend to resume face-to-face talks with his British counterpart, David Frost, on the terms of a free trade agreement when Britain begins living outside the Union. European on January 1, 2021. But there are still serious differences. , with both sets of negotiating teams refusing to give up significant ground on a number of issues, primarily around fisheries and state aid. French President Emmanual Macron has also voiced his opinion that the EU continues to have equal access to UK waters over concerns about the future of the French fishing industry.
This had raised fears that time was running out to agree on a deal that would have to be ratified by both the UK and EU Parliaments before the transition period deadline of December 31.
The European Commission has started pressuring Barnier to agree to a trade deal with Britain, according to a Times report, raising hopes in Downing Street that a deal could be reached on Friday.
But BBC Europe editor Katya Adler tweeted that EU diplomats told her they are “nervous” that Barnier will be tempted to strike a deal with the UK, “for the sake of his legacy”, but that would enrage national governments across the bloc.
They fear a deal will offer the UK “too much competitive advantage over EU companies in its own single market” and, while Barnier receives broad EU support, they now fear they will be “rejected” in a deal as they time is running out. agree on one.
Brexit news: EU diplomats nervous that Michel Barnier may be ‘tempted’ to strike a deal with the UK (Image: GETTY / PA)
Brexit news: Michel Barnier is in London to resume trade talks with UK negotiators (Image: GETTY)
EU diplomats have told me that they are nervous that Barnier will be tempted, for the sake of his legacy, to strike a deal with the UK that national governments, such as France / NL, oppose.
Ms Adler tweeted: “The sense between various member states is the complete opposite of what is suggested in the article.
“EU diplomats have told me that they are nervous that Barnier will be tempted, for the sake of his legacy, to strike a deal with the UK that national governments, such as France / NL, oppose.
“Because they find it too ‘lenient’, offering the UK too much competitive advantage over EU companies in its own single market.
“Overall, Barnier still enjoys broad EU support, but there is nervousness among some countries that if time runs out, they will be ‘turned down’ for a deal.
READ MORE: EU ordered to rethink fishing plan as UK will ‘NEVER’ accept demands
Brexit news: BBC’s Katya Adler gave insight into sentiment among EU diplomats (Image: @BBCkatyaadler / Twitter)
“Otherwise they would not have accepted. Like the UK, EU countries do not want a ‘no-cost’ deal. “
He added: “Strongly agree with eg @peterfoster the UK fish approach is a red herring.
“For the EU, the main concern is ‘fair competition’, that is, a level playing field. Let’s see what this week brings.”
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has been “quite helpful” and is “willing to unblock things,” added The Times report.
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Brexit news: Michel Barnier has resumed face-to-face talks on a trade deal (Image: GETTY)
Brexit news: Ursula von der Leyen previously warned that time is running out to agree on a trade deal (Image: GETTY)
She sent Stephanie Riso, one of her highest authorities, to assist Barnier in the talks.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian previously accused the UK of “lingering” on last-minute Brexit negotiations.
He added that Paris will not back down on fishing issues.
On Sunday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the UK and the EU are heading for a “very significant week” as talks on a trade deal enter their final days with several differences still to be resolved.
Brexit news: the UK is getting closer to finally leaving the EU (Image: EXPRESS)
Several self-imposed deadlines have so far been missed, and negotiations have failed to close the gap around differences in competition policy and the distribution of fishing rights.
Mr Raab told the BBC: “This is a very significant week, the last real big week, subject to any further postponement, we are on two basic issues.”
The foreign secretary told Times Radio in a separate interview: “The bottom line is that, in the normal course of things, we need to come to an agreement within the next week or maybe a couple more days.”
When he also spoke to Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Raab said that fishing rights remain a “major bone of contention” with the EU, but a deal can still be reached.
He said: “I think we are in a reasonable position, there is a deal to be done.
“If you really look at the outstanding issues, of course, a level playing field, but there seems to be progress towards more respect for the UK’s position.
“When it comes to fisheries, there is a point of principle: when we leave the EU, we will be an independent coastal state … and we have to be able to control our waters.”
Raab said the UK recognizes the impact on other countries, but cautioned: “I think the answer is’ can the EU accept that point of principle that comes with our departure from the political club?”
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