Latest updates: Michel Barnier, EU chief negotiator, says ‘a deal is still possible’ and ‘we keep working’
- Johnson and EU vow to go ‘extra mile’ to thrash out Brexit deal
Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, has just posted these on Twitter. He is suggesting that, if the trade talks fail, that will partly be because Boris Johnson rashly insisted on trying to conclude one in 11 months.
Under the original withdrawal agreement negotiated by Theresa May, the transition period would have lasted 21 months – which even then was regarded as leaving little time to negotiate the sort of trade deal that normally takes several years. It ended up as nine months because Brexit was delayed, but Johnson did not want to delay the point at which the UK would no longer be bound by EU rules (31 December).
It is our responsibility to give the talks every chance of success.
Never before has such a comprehensive agreement (trade, energy, fisheries,transport, police & judicial cooperation, etc) been negotiated so transparently and in such little time. [1/2]
The next few days are important, if a is to be in place on 1 January 2021.
Fair competition, and a sustainable solution for our fishermen and women, are key to reaching a deal. [2/2]
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