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Katya Adler

@BBCkatyaadler

14 Oct

PM leaves threat of walking away from talks with the EU in the air. Following his call this evening with European Commission and European Council Presidents, his spokesman said the PM had noted the desirability of a deal, but /1

“expressed his disappointment that more progress had not been made over the past two weeks. The Prime Minister said that he looked forward to hearing the outcome of the European Council (this weeks EU leaders summit) /2

and would reflect before setting out the UK’s next steps in the light of his statement of 7 September.” That was the date when the PM said there was no point in talking all autumn and that a deal should be visible by mid October /3

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Katya Adler

@BBCkatyaadler

13 Oct

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has briefed Europe Ministers from EU member states that progress continues to be made in negotiations with the UK but not significantly when it comes to key sticking points: level playing field, fish, governance of deal /1

This briefing comes ahead of the EU leaders summit in Brussels end of this week, where Brexit will be discussed most likely I’m told on Friday morning. Both Michel Barnier and the PM once described this summit mid October as cut off point by which time a deal had to be agreed /2

This clearly will not be the case and each side predictably blames the other for that. Today a UK government source said: „The EU have been using the old playbook in which they thought running down the clock would work against the UK“ /3

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Katya Adler

@BBCkatyaadler

12 Oct

Clearly no Brexit trade deal ready by 15 Oct as the PM has wanted BUT talks continue apace. This week in Brussels (Monday to Wednesday) focussing on fish and level playing field (including governance) in particular /1

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier will brief Europe Ministers of the 27 member states (or as many of them as attend tomorrow’s General Affairs Council). This ahead of the EU leaders summit in Brussels this Thurs and Friday where #Brexit will be discussed amongst others topics /2

EU expectation is that France will play hardball as it did in Brexit divorce negotiations last year. But France is not only fishing state afraid of losing quotas in UK waters. France also not alone in worrying about what EU sees as ‘fair competition’ rules in exchange /3

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Katya Adler

@BBCkatyaadler

8 Oct

While UK side keeps *banging on* about fish fish fish .. the Brussels end of post #Brexit trade negotiations now *harps on* (AND ON) about governance ie need for a robust dispute mechanism with teeth allowing for swift legal action (including suspending chunks of whole deal) /1

EU keener on this than ever in a deal with UK following the government threat to override parts of the Withdrawal Agreement with its internal market bill. EU leaders say they need to justify an eventual deal to their voters. Proof haven’t sold out French/Dutch/German interests /2

In a deal with UK and that if UK businesses suddenly get an unfair competitive advantage bc spending less on environmental regulations or receiving more in state aid, then EU wants to be able to take speedy action via dispute mechanism. /3

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Katya Adler

@BBCkatyaadler

7 Oct

Re cal’ today between PM and EU Chief negotiator Michel Barnier, a
Downing Street spokesperson said:
« The Prime Minister outlined our clear commitment to trying to reach an agreement, underlining that a deal was better for both sides. » /1

But « He also underlined the UK was prepared to end the transition period on Australia-style terms if an agreement could not be found. » ie no trade deal /2

« Although some progress had been made in recent discussions, they acknowledged that significant areas of difference remain, particularly on fisheries. Chief Negotiators should continue to work intensively in the coming days to try to bridge the gaps. » /3

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Katya Adler

@BBCkatyaadler

4 Oct

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier heads to Berlin tomorrow morning for a meeting with Angela Merkel. No trip scheduled to France the following day. Possibly to London later in the week, I’m told /1

It would seem neither the wildly positive sounding rumours out of the U.K. last week on agreed solutions being found to state aid, nor the doom and gloomsters saying nothing is going nowhere fast(!) on tough issues in talks following the PM-VdL phone call this week are correct /2

The fact the two leaders didn’t issue a joint statement trumpeting the details of compromise solutions already being worked on doesn’t mean they can’t or won’t happen. Fact that PM and VdL will be in regular contact now is significant. Lots more to-ing and fro-ing predicted /3

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