The UK and EU have ended this week’s talks with ‘serious disagreements’, according to Michel Barnier. The first in-person talks since February have commenced with an attempt to secure common negotiating ground.
Barnier reaffirms that the EU has been willing to compromise and meet Britain’s uncompromisable demands: no ECJ jurisdiction, no adherence to EU laws, and a workable fisheries policy. However, he has criticised the UK for not returning the favour.
Barnier added that a no-deal scenario is possible if a ‘level playing field’ is not reached.
Boris Johnson and Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, had previously met last month. Von der Leyen reaffirmed that there was a very good chance of getting a trade deal by December.
Such a deal would need to be agreed by October. This would allow time for the various parliaments to ratify the deal before the deadline.
Recently, the UK chief Brexit negotiator, David Frost, has been promoted to National Security Advisor with effect from the end of September. Some have criticised the decision as a sign that the Government is not fully committed to a Brexit deal and is expecting no deal with the EU.
Little progress in the way of negotiations has been made so far. Despite this, the Government has reaffirmed its commitment leaving on December 31st, with Michael Gove tweeting:
I just chaired a constructive EU Joint Committee meeting with @MarosSefcovic
I formally confirmed the UK will not extend the transition period & the moment for extension has now passed. On 1 January 2021 we will take back control and regain our political & economic independence pic.twitter.com/nZjNpez8LI
— Michael Gove (@michaelgove) June 12, 2020
The deadline for extending the transition period has now passed, in effect guaranteeing that the UK will have left the EU by 2021.
Negotiations are due to resume next week in London.
