Michel Barnier speaking in Brussels: "I am the EU's negotiator and my responsibility is to tell the truth, to speak the truth.
"This week there have been no significant areas of progress."
"This week there have been no significant areas of progress."
Barnier: "I don't think we can go on like this forever"...
"The UK has refused to extend the transition period.
"From our side... we have always been open to extending this period by 1 or 2 yrs. It's possible and written into the agreement. Our door is still open to that end."
"The UK has refused to extend the transition period.
"From our side... we have always been open to extending this period by 1 or 2 yrs. It's possible and written into the agreement. Our door is still open to that end."
Barnier, clearly irritated, gets out a copy of the Political Declaration...
"We engaged on the basis of a joint PD that clearly sets out the terms of our future partnership.
"This document is available in all languages, including English. It's not difficult to read."
"We engaged on the basis of a joint PD that clearly sets out the terms of our future partnership.
"This document is available in all languages, including English. It's not difficult to read."
"It was negotiated by Prime Minister Johnson himself," Barnier adds
"Our British counterparts seek to distance themselves from this common basis"
Barnier now listing commitments in the Political Declaration which he says Johnson is trying to "backtrack" on
This is a bust-up
"Our British counterparts seek to distance themselves from this common basis"
Barnier now listing commitments in the Political Declaration which he says Johnson is trying to "backtrack" on
This is a bust-up
Here's David Frost...
“Progress remains limited but our talks have been positive in tone"
However, "we must intensify and accelerate our work" if there is to be a deal
"Negotiations will continue," so no UK walk-out
But, as expected, the stand-off continues, time running out
“Progress remains limited but our talks have been positive in tone"
However, "we must intensify and accelerate our work" if there is to be a deal
"Negotiations will continue," so no UK walk-out
But, as expected, the stand-off continues, time running out
Barnier shouts out @MichaelAodhan, @Freight_NI and the rest of the NI Business Brexit Working Group, whose paper on the NI protocol he says he has read
He will "take into account" their concerns, he says, but adds that technical details from the UK "aren't always forthcoming"
He will "take into account" their concerns, he says, but adds that technical details from the UK "aren't always forthcoming"
A UK source close to negotiations hits back at Barnier's claim that the UK is disregarding the Political Declaration:
"We are committed to the Political Declaration.
"We see it, as it describes itself, as a document that sets out the parameters. It isn't in itself a treaty."
"We are committed to the Political Declaration.
"We see it, as it describes itself, as a document that sets out the parameters. It isn't in itself a treaty."
The senior UK source says the UK *has* suggested accepting tariffs to unlock talks
"It fell slightly on stony ground but it's still there"
Wouldn't negotiating that take ages?
It's "exaggerated," they say, pointing to CETA under which tariffs cover a "v small number" of goods
"It fell slightly on stony ground but it's still there"
Wouldn't negotiating that take ages?
It's "exaggerated," they say, pointing to CETA under which tariffs cover a "v small number" of goods
In what sectors is the UK prepared to accept EU tariffs?
"That's for discussion," the UK source close to negotiations says
A few industry alarm bells will be ringing over that
"That's for discussion," the UK source close to negotiations says
A few industry alarm bells will be ringing over that
Barnier’s annoyed and the UK isn’t much more optimistic
But this week played out as expected (@GeorginaEWright, @anandMenon1, @RaoulRuparel):
• no key progress
• talks continue, no UK walk-out
But the gulf is large and the time table *very* short businessinsider.com/brexit-trade-t…
But this week played out as expected (@GeorginaEWright, @anandMenon1, @RaoulRuparel):
• no key progress
• talks continue, no UK walk-out
But the gulf is large and the time table *very* short businessinsider.com/brexit-trade-t…
