'Significant divergences' in UK-EU talks - Michel Barnier
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EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier attended talks in Downing Street
"Significant divergences" remain between the EU and the UK on a post-Brexit trade deal after informal talks in London, Michel Barnier has said.
The EU's chief negotiator said his team would "continue working with patience, respect and determination" following talks with his counterpart David Frost.
But he said "regardless of the outcome" there would be "inevitable changes" from 1 January 2021.
The UK has ruled out extending the December deadline to reach a deal.
Both sides agreed to "intensify" negotiations last month and held the first face-to-face talks since the coronavirus pandemic at the beginning of July.
If they are unable to reach a deal by the end of the transition period at the end of the year, the UK will leave the EU's single market and the customs union without any agreement on future access.
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On Wednesday, Mr Barnier said the discussions had been "useful" and the team was "negotiating in good faith".
He said they were "working hard for a fair agreement" with the UK, including on fisheries and the "level playing field" arrangements designed to prevent the UK undercutting the EU by lowering standards and increasing state subsidies.
The two sides have been deadlocked over the issue of fishing rights - an area where they had previously pledged to find agreement by last month.
The EU wants to uphold its existing access to British waters for vessels from member states, to avoid economic disruption for their fishermen.
But the UK wants to hold annual talks with the bloc over access to its waters, as it currently does with nations such as Norway.
Michel Barnier met David Frost in Number 10
European Commission spokesman Daniel Farrie told reporters they were "working hard to overcome the significant divergences that remain between us".
"Meetings will continue in Brussels next week and the next round of negotiations will take place in the week of 20 July in London," he said.
When asked whether there were positives to take from the London talks, Mr Farrie added: "My answer will be very, very short there.
"We are working towards an agreement."
The prime minister's official spokesman said the Downing Street dinner in Wednesday had provided a "constructive opportunity for David (Frost) and Michel Barnier to meet in a more informal way ahead of the specialised sessions".
He said the pair had been keen to discuss "goods and services, fisheries, governance, the level-playing field and law enforcement".
Mr Frost will travel to Brussels for further discussions next week before formal negotiations resume in London in about a week's time.
- Published18 December 2020
