Brexit: ‘Severe variations’ over commerce deal, say UK and EU

The UK and EU have mentioned severe variations stay over a post-Brexit commerce deal, following the most recent negotiations in Brussels.

EU negotiator Michel Barnier mentioned the bloc’s place wanted to be “higher understood and revered” by the UK if an settlement is to be discovered.

His UK counterpart David Frost mentioned “important” disagreement remained on “plenty of necessary points”.

The UK has dominated out extending the December deadline to achieve a deal.

The most recent spherical of talks, the primary to be held in particular person for the reason that Covid-19 disaster struck, got here after each side agreed to “intensify” negotiations final month.

Negotiations have continued all through the pandemic by way of video hyperlink. A further 5 weeks of in-person talks are deliberate for July and early August.

BBC Europe reporter Gavin Lee mentioned the most recent spherical of talks had damaged up a day early, with a dialogue between the 2 chief negotiators tomorrow cancelled.

Mr Frost mentioned the face-to-face talks had given “additional depth and suppleness” to discussions on a “full vary of points” over a commerce and a future partnership.

“However they’ve additionally underlined the numerous variations that also stay between us on plenty of necessary points,” he added.

Equally, Mr Barnier mentioned “severe divergences stay” after the 4 days of talks, though the EU believed an settlement was nonetheless potential.

‘Equal engagement’

“The EU engaged constructively, as we had already completed throughout the fourth spherical of negotiations in June,” he added.

“The EU expects, in flip, its positions to be higher understood and revered with a view to attain an settlement.

“We want an equal engagement by the UK.”

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Mr Barnier underlined that the EU expects “parallel progress” in all areas of the negotiations.

This can be a level of distinction with the UK – which desires to barter separate agreements in areas corresponding to fisheries, alongside a primary free commerce deal.

Mr Barnier additionally reiterated the EU wouldn’t conform to a deal with out “sturdy” ensures on the so-called “stage enjoying area” for competitors between enterprise.

He added this would come with the realm of state assist for firms.

Similar to when it was an EU member, the UK stays tied to the bloc’s “state support” guidelines throughout the 11-month transition interval because of finish in December 2020.

The UK has not but unveiled plans for its post-Brexit state support regime, however PM Boris Johnson has beforehand mentioned he desires to make it simpler for the UK authorities to supply help to struggling companies.

The 2 sides additionally stay deadlocked over the problem of fishing rights – an space the place they’d beforehand pledged to search out settlement by final month.

The EU desires to uphold its current entry to British waters for vessels from member states, to keep away from financial disruption for his or her fishermen.

However the UK desires to carry annual talks with the bloc over entry to its waters, because it at present does with nations corresponding to Norway.