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Brussels sources said 95 percent of the deal on future relations is done, but some compromise is needed. However, number 10 insisted that its negotiating position is clear and that it will not change sovereignty for new commercial terms. “We are clear that we want an agreement that recognizes the United Kingdom as a sovereign nation,” said a spokesman. “That is still the case.” The talks continue online as an EU official tested positive for Covid. Face-to-face negotiations are expected to resume by the end of next week as both sides fight for a breakthrough.
Negotiators from the UK and the EU noted that progress has been made in recent days. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, suggested that the talks are near the “finish line” and the two sides are getting to work on the substance of the future relationship.
He added: “After difficult weeks with very, very slow progress, we have now seen in the last days better progress, more movement in important files. This is good. Progress has been made, for example, on the issue of state aid. , but there are still a few meters to go to the finish line. ” The key points are state aid, fishing quotas and governance.
An EU diplomat said: “It seems that we are very close to reaching an agreement on most of the issues, but differences remain on the three contentious issues.”
Another official said: “Some things on the level playing field have moved, albeit very, very slowly. The fishing isn’t really moving anywhere.”
Issue 10 said the team led by chief negotiator Lord Frost had worked constructively to move the talks forward despite the bloc refusing to drop its most controversial demands. A UK spokesperson said: “We have listened carefully to our EU counterparts, have shown flexibility where possible to move the talks forward and put forward new proposals to move forward.
“Although there has been some progress in recent days, there is a lot of work to be done and the time is now very short. Now we need to see more realism from the EU on what it means for the UK to be an independent state.”
EU officials are working on emergency plans to fully approve any Brexit trade deal amid concerns the talks will drag into December.
In a private meeting in Brussels, some EU states expressed concern that there is not enough time to analyze the 600-page document that is being drafted.
It is legally possible to implement an agreement without the approval of the European Parliament, but it would be politically explosive. Instead, a special meeting of MEPs on December 28 seems more likely.
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