Michel Barnier giving an update on the opening round of Brexit trade talks. He starts off in charm offensive mode praising the ‘exceptional’ UK and EU negotiating teams and the ‘professionalism, great cordiality and constructive spirit’ of both sides. 
Barnier says he grilled Frost about the UK's plans for the implementation of WA, especially the Irish Protocol, and that he 'confirmed the UK will respect all its legal undertakings. This is a condition for the trust we need now to build our future partnership on a good basis.'
Barnier: 'Don't think next January is the same as last January it will be very very different. The definitive changes which will happen because of the decisions of the UK and the difficulties which will be linked to that, my impression is they're still very often underestimated.'
Barnier says there were no talks on foreign policy and defence cooperation 'since the UK indicated it didn't wish to negotiate any particular agreement on those two major subjects'. Says:'The table remains open for negotiation on those subjects should the UK wish to hold them.'
Barnier says 'there are many divergences and they are very serious divergences'. Lists:
* Level Playing Field
* Security cooperation
* Governance
* Fisheries
Concludes: 'Our differences come as no surprise, especially after only one round, but some are very, very difficult.'
* Level Playing Field
* Security cooperation
* Governance
* Fisheries
Concludes: 'Our differences come as no surprise, especially after only one round, but some are very, very difficult.'
On LPF, Barnier says the UK insists it's committed to high standards but doesn't want to put those promises into an enforceable agreement. He asks: 'Whilst we agree on persevering high standards my question is why not commit to them formally? It's a question of trust.'
On law enforcement Barnier says UK team has told him 'they don't wish to commit formally to applying the ECHR nor do they wish ECJ to play its full role in interpreting EU law'. Says: 'If UK's doesn't move it will have an immediate and concrete effect on level of cooperation.'
On governance, Barnier says UK is asking for 'a suite of agreements, a series of sectoral arrangements on a case by case basis where they think it's necessary'. Says EU wants one overarching agreement and doesn't understand this approach, especially given the short negotiations.
Finally on fishing Barnier says UK is asking to negotiate separate reciprocal access on a yearly basis like Norway. He says: 'What we can do with Norway on 5 species simply isn't possible for 100 species. Economic agreement will have to include a balanced solution for fisheries.'
Barnier: 'I was quite surprised to read the negotiating mandate the British have set for themselves to negotiate with Mr Trump and all the best to them in those negotiations. I was very interested to see there was this element of the Level Playing Field.'
Asked whether the Coronavirus crisis could impact on future rounds of the Brexit talks, Barnier says 'we'll be taking all necessary precautions so we can protect' officials from both sides taking part. He adds he brought up cooperation on health issues with the UK in talks.
