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Alister Jack, Scotland’s Secretary of State, told Express.co.uk in an interview that this week “was the week” to secure a deal. The thorny issues of fishing rights and the “level playing field” to avoid unfair competition in rules and state subsidies remain the main obstacles to a deal.
But this publication has learned that an agreement could be reached by the end of this week as talks between Lord Frost and Michel Barnier continue.
In an exclusive interview with this website, he said: “We’ve had it for quite a while now that this is the week.
“But I really think this is the week.
“Time is running out for an agreement to be ratified because we are ending the transition period on December 31, so I really believe this is the week to close a deal.
“With the EU historically, it has always been in the 59th minute to the 11th hour and I think we have reached it.
“If they are willing to respect our sovereignty after having left the EU and respect the sovereignty of our coastal waters, then I hope there is a deal to be made.”
“I really hope there is a deal to be made, it is as much for them as it is for us.”
Mr Jack stressed that the UK spent € 100 billion more than Brussels spent with us on trade, making it clear that they were ‘in their interest’ to have a good business relationship.
READ MORE: Ireland in panic attacks UK for refusing to extend Brexit transition
But there will be very little time left for an agreement to go through the ratification process and votes are expected in both the UK and the European Parliament in the coming weeks.
Fishing alone contributed only 0.03 per cent of British economic output in 2019, but is seen as a staple industry in the UK that needs to be preserved.
Combined with fish and shellfish processing, the sector accounts for 0.1% of UK GDP.
Britain wants a “zonal link” to agree a total allowable catch for UK waters.
This, says Downing Street, would be a step that would give it a much higher quota quota than if the fish math were worked out on the basis of the EU’s proposals for an 18 percent increase from the current UK quota .
Reflecting on today’s talks, European Commission spokesman Daniel Ferrie said: “We are fully focused on the Brexit negotiations at the moment.
“If contingency measures are needed, they would be limited and tailored to the very specific circumstances that exist, and they would be adopted in time to ensure that we are fully prepared by January 1.”
Barnier made it clear there were “reasons for determination” when he left his hotel for business talks on Monday.
But Downing Street said the UK’s negotiating position would not change despite requests for compromise.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said this afternoon: “We want to try to reach a free trade agreement as soon as possible.
“But we have been clear that we will not change our negotiating position and we have been clear about what that position is.”
The spokesman said that “although there has been some progress,” the two sides are still at odds over fishing and a level playing field.
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