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The Brussels diplomat will intensify his work on the future relations pact with Great Britain by traveling to Berlin to talk with the influential German chancellor. The meeting was confirmed after Boris Johnson and the head of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, agreed to “take stock” of the negotiations on a free trade agreement. Merkel currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU and will play a vital role in convincing her counterparts to support any deal.
With a compromise in sight, the bloc prepares to sell its deal to member states.
France could prove a major hurdle with President Emmanuel Macron willing to maintain his hardline demand for the same level of access to Britain’s coastal waters.
Earlier this week it emerged that Paris was urged to back concessions to Britain on non-coastal states fishing.
The two sides today concluded their ninth formal round of talks on a post-Brexit deal, and more sessions are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Brussels sources claim that British negotiators have shown a willingness to compromise in order to secure an agreement.
But EU diplomats say the move will require a decision from politicians before both sides can make the concessions a reality.
A spokesman for No10 said: “The prime minister will speak with President von der Leyen tomorrow afternoon to take stock of the negotiations and discuss next steps.”
A high-level diplomatic source said: “This is a good sign. I hope there are signs to come on the two main outstanding problems: fish and state aid ”.
Another EU source said the five British proposals tabled ahead of this week’s negotiations had created an opening.
The informant said: “The newspapers did their job. They provided a starting point for conversations this week.
“Now it is good that the main leaders are based on our position and the way forward.”
It is understood that Barnier, the EU’s main Brexit negotiator, is far from convinced that it is time for both sides to enter the “tunnel”.
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Brussels welcomed British proposals to allow EU ships a three-year transition to the new post-Brexit regime and a state aid model based on the UK-Japan trade deal.
The atmosphere in the negotiating rooms is said to be “positive” despite external outrage over the government’s plans to break sections of last year’s Brexit divorce deal related to Northern Ireland.
Yesterday Ms Von der Leyen initiated legal action against the UK for the Internal Market Act.
But Downing Street is expected to remove controversial elements from the legislation if there is a breakthrough in the talks later this month.
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