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Charles Michel insisted that the fisheries issue remains a key point of divergence with the UK as the Brexit transition period draws to a close. Michel re-committed the European Union to ensuring that member state fleets can maintain access to British waters after the UK leaves. Addressing MEPs in Brussels, the Council President said: “Brexit was not our decision and it was not a decision of our fishermen.”
“Stopping access to UK waters would cause extraordinary damage to our fishing fleets.
“Yes, we want to maintain access to UK waters for our fishermen, exactly as the UK wants to maintain access to our huge and diversified market for its companies.
“Mr President, dear Members of Parliament, in June 2016 the UK made the democratic decision to leave the European Union.
“We respect this decision in 2016, this sovereign decision, and now we respect the sovereignty of the UK.”
He added: “What is the point of negotiating, signing and ratifying a Withdrawal Agreement if it is not fully implemented?”
Mr Michel insisted that both the EU and the UK have expressed their desire for an “ambitious” agreement on future relations, and asked the British government to commit to respecting the union’s rules after the transition.
He continued: “Our friends in the UK say they want an ambitious and close relationship.
“We welcome this because we want the same thing, but the UK wants access to the single market and at the same time to be able to diverge from our rules and regulations when it suits them.”
“You cannot have your cake and eat it. In fact, the UK now has an important decision to make about its own future.”
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EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier insisted that an agreement can still be reached before the years go by, but insisted that time is short and called for more progress.
He said: “An agreement is within our grasp if both parties are willing to work constructively and reach a compromise.”
“Time is of the essence and time is running out every day.
“We must strive to find solutions to difficult areas.”
“Progress has been made in police cooperation, Europol and data protection, for example.”
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