1/ Now I've got a sec, a quick recap of Barnier's speech to COSAC this morning. It was essentially an abridged version of his CER one, but with a few I thought distinctly more upbeat additions.
2/ Barnier consciously talked up the progress of the Brexit negotiations. Said he has hope UK and EU will reach a 'real agreement' on the main issues 'in the next few days'.
3/ Donald Tusk has set a deadline of 4 Dec for a deal, so it has time to be considered by EU leaders. Barnier said this means 'the moment of truth is approaching' for both sides.
4/ He was especially warm on citizens' rights. Says UK and EU have 'done a lot' on this issue and hinted an agreement is very close by saying the two sides have 'almost finished shoring up all these rights'.
5/ He mentioned citizens' rights, where the most progress has been made, more prominently than the Brexit bill and Ireland, where talks have been more dicey. On all 3 issues he outlined 'the basis of the agreement we hope to obtain in the next few days'.
6/ Barnier was also warm on future relations. Said it is 'most important we come up with a solid partnership with UK'. Added: 'In order to have a true solid future for the EU we need to come up with a true partnership with the UK.'
7/ Spoke of moving onto 'next 2 phases of negotiations, first of all on transition period and then on future relationship'. That's 1st time negs have been referred to as 3-phase rather than 2-phase approach with transition & trade lumped into one.
