Foreign media: It is reported that EU negotiators think it is possible to reach an agreement with Britain

　　China News Service, July 29. According to a Reuters report, diplomatic sources said that during a closed-door meeting with special envoys of member states to the EU, Barnier, the EU’s chief representative in charge of Brexit negotiations, expressed confidence that it might be Britain reached a new agreement.

Data map: On January 29, local time, the European Parliament approved the "Brexit" agreement. The picture shows the parliamentarians holding high the banner of "Forever Unity" after the voting. China News Agency issued photos for EU

　　This is completely different from his pessimistic assessment after the latest round of Anglo-European consultations. "Because the UK currently refuses to promise to maintain an open and level playing field, and to reach a balanced fishery agreement, it is unlikely that the two sides will reach a trade agreement at this time," Barnier said at a press conference on the 23rd.

　　After the UK referendum to leave the European Union for more than four years and after many rounds of tortuous negotiations, the UK and Europe are starting negotiations on the relationship between the two sides in all aspects from trade to security starting in 2021.

　　At present, the two key sticking points are the access to British fishing waters and the EU's requirement that the UK abide by EU standards on state supplementary assistance, labor, and the environment to ensure that the UK will not weaken the EU's single market with inferior products.

　　The EU said that it needs to reach an agreement in October to allow time to pass it before the end of the year. Both sides said that negotiations may be stalled.

　　According to the source, Barnier said at the meeting, “I still believe that although the scale is not so ambitious, it is still possible to reach a balanced and sustainable agreement.” In addition, the London side seems to be interested in seeking to reach an agreement. "Low-quality, low-key" agreements are more interesting.

　　He said that the recent meeting with British Prime Minister Johnson left him with a feeling that Johnson does want to reach an agreement, although he insists that London is ready for the prospect that an agreement may not be reached at all.

　　Barnier said that "a level playing field" is the biggest sticking point, but he also cited issues in energy and transportation cooperation, as well as labeling product rules of origin. The source quoted Barnier as saying: "There is no discussion on the level of playing field."