Michel Barnier starts presser conference following end of round 4 of trade talks with U.K. /1
Our objective from beginning of these negotiations was to negotiate in parallel on all strands concerning future relationship - says Barnier /2
EU and UK decided this week to concentrate on the main sticking points. Barnier praises EU chief negotiator David Frist but says no real progress made this week nonetheless /3
On fishing U.K. hasn’t budged from its pov, says Barnier. He adds no progress made on level playing field. Says still far from finding agreement and in police and judicial co-op there’s still much work to be done /4
We can’t go on forever like this says Barnier . Barnier says EU remains open to extending transition and negotiations but if not then in less than 7 months U.K. will leave single mkt and customs union . Would need to reach a deal by end of Oct in order to ratify in time /5
Hope new political dynamism will come out of the summit this month between Boris Johnson and Comission Pres von der Leyen later this month - says Barnier /6
Barnier says lack of progress is not due to method of negotiation but the substance of negotiations /7
Barnier says again that UK deviating from what was agreed with PM Johnson in political declaration back in Nov. BUT nb U.K. also accuses EU of deviating from declaration /8
Barnier says PM agreed to level playing field in political declaration „robust measures“ and uphold „high standards“ in state aid, environment etc BUT far from thst objrctivecsays Barnier /9
Barnier adds the two sides agreed to keep agreements on civil nuclear ties and money laundering but „on all areas U.K. continues to backtrack on commitments made in political declaration“ says Barnier /10
UK does not want to talk at all about foreign policy and defence co-op says Barnier. Says „I do not understand why“ /11
Barnier says EU working with EU countries to ensure clarity of resident status of U.K. citizens residing there /12
Barnier says more work needed on technical details of how Irish protocol will work as of first Jan 2021 /13
Barnier praises U.K. awarding resident status to 3.1 million EU citizens in U.K. Says Eu keeping eye on other vulnerable EU cirztehs whose status has not been settled yet /14
Barnier says next negotiating round prob end of June /15
Says finding a deal between EU and EU still possible this autumn /16
UK chief negotiator says of EU/UK trade talks „Progress remains limited.. We are now at an important moment for these talks We are close to reaching the limits of what we can achieve through the format of remote formal Rounds.“ /1
David Frost continues: „If we are to make progress, it is clear that we must intensify and accelerate our work. We are discussing with the Commission how this can best be done.“ /2
