Dominic Raab and Michel Barnier providing an update on Brexit talks in a few minutes. Watch live here: telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/…
Barnier says it's been a "long working morning." Specifically, "We worked together on framework for future relationship and extremely important subject of our citizens' security." Says they prepared for "ambitious" post-Brexit security partnership.
Barnier: White paper contains some positive guarantees on protection of fundamental rights and recognition of the ECJ as final arbiter of EU law. But we now have to discuss how that is translated.
Barnier: There's a broad convergence of views on the ambition and tools we want to implement this security partnership.
Barnier: Galileo was also discussed. Signal and communication will remain available, and offer includes access to the PRS signal. Now it's up to UK to decide whether as they wish they would like to get involved in that close cooperation.
Barnier: Our ambition is to build a partnership without precedent. The second subject of our work was progress on WA outstanding issues. Geographical indicators, 3,000 of the 28 EU member states, I expressed my concern once again.
Barnier: Brexit must not lead to loss of rights on EU side in this area. So we have to find a solution for this in WA.
Barnier: I think it's fair, Dominic, to say we are making good progress. Finally, on Ireland/N Ireland, we must have a detailed backstop solution which is legally operation in WA. The PM committed herself to this.
Barnier: With no backstop there will be no agreement. Our work will continue. See you next week...
Raab is up: "We made valuable progress," he says. "Further progress" being made each week in Withdrawal Agreement (WA)
Raab: We remain committed to giving effect to joint report. The solutions must be workable for communities in NI and ROI.
Raab: We do feel on UK side we need to be even more ambitious. I understand EU position...but the starting point for the UK is always on the security. We have made clear that Europe's security is UK's security.
Raab: We must remember that beyond Brussels or Westminster village that actually there are real people affected by the trade negotiations. We have got to be really ambitious for them in this negotiation.
Raab: On my side I am stubbornly optimistic that a deal is within our reach if both sides grasp the opportunity.
Q: Are you still in deadlock on Ireland?
Barnier: You can see, step by step, we are eliminating bones of contention. Ireland, as I've said, is crucial point for reaching agreement but we're working.
Barnier: You can see, step by step, we are eliminating bones of contention. Ireland, as I've said, is crucial point for reaching agreement but we're working.
Q: Is it more or less likely there'll be deal by October. And if prog is made, how concerned is EU on Tory party conference?
Raab: I am as confident if not more confident we can reach a deal. We are aiming for October council. I'm a negotiator not a gambling man.
Barnier: If you ask that Q to Jean-Money, he would say I am neither - 'I am determined'. I am determined. We're going to find an agreement for orderly withdrawal.
Barnier: I won't comment [on Tory party conference]. We are negotiating with Prime Minister Theresa May.
Q: When is the cut-off when no deal prep stars?
Barnier: We're working for deal. I would say if you take account of date chosen by UK to leave, and you simply count backwards, it takes you to November at the latest [to ratify deal, etc.].
Barnier: We're working for deal. I would say if you take account of date chosen by UK to leave, and you simply count backwards, it takes you to November at the latest [to ratify deal, etc.].
Raab: There's a measure of flexibility but we're aiming or the October council [as deadline[
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