Brussels (AFP)

EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier expressed concern on Thursday about "serious differences" with the United Kingdom over the future post Brexit relationship, after a first round of negotiations in Brussels with the British.

"To be quite frank, there are a lot of differences and very serious differences," said the Frenchman at a press conference.

Concerning fishing, a very sensitive subject for several member states, France in the lead, he notably underlined that the British proposal to negotiate with the EU every year access to its waters was "impracticable".

"I want to be very clear on this point: a trade and economic agreement with the United Kingdom will have to include a balanced solution for fishing," he insisted.

The Frenchman cited other obstacles in the discussion with London, in particular on the role of the European Court of Justice in the event of a conflict over the implementation of the future agreement, as well as on the conditions of competition.

Fearing that an unregulated economy could emerge on its doorstep, the Union conditions the degree of access by the British to its market to long-term respect for fair conditions of competition, in particular its standards in the area of ​​labor law, environment, taxation and state aid.

"The British tell us that they still have these ambitions for high standards, but they do not want to translate these commitments into a common agreement," regretted Michel Barnier.

However, he insisted, "we will need a + level playing field + agreement to guarantee what has been promised by (British Prime Minister) Boris Johnson".

"An agreement is possible, even if it is difficult," said Michel Barnier, however.

The UK has also signaled to the EU that it does not wish to negotiate a specific "foreign and defense policy" agreement, which it has noted.

- "No deal" -

This first round of discussions started on Monday with a meeting between Michel Barnier and his British counterpart, David Frost.

A hundred negotiators on each side then discussed from Tuesday to Thursday morning at the main congress center in Brussels, in the heart of the city, around a dozen thematic negotiating tables.

According to several sources, the negotiators "agreed" to avoid shaking hands, in order to limit the risks of the spread of the coronavirus.

The other rounds of negotiation must be held alternately in Brussels and London, every two to three weeks.

After the publication last week of the negotiating mandates of the two camps, which vigorously displayed their red lines confirming deep divergences, the whole question is whether a common ground is possible by the end of the year .

In the event of failure, it is a "no deal" with its brutal economic consequences, for the United Kingdom but also for the continent, which will prevail at the end of the transition period, on December 31.

From a first assessment of the negotiations scheduled for June, the government of Boris Johnson made a cut-off date: it threatened last week to slam the door in the summer if the discussions got bogged down.

Given the short time available, three areas have priority for the EU: the conditions of competition in the free trade agreement, dispute settlement and fisheries.

The EU hopes to conclude "an ambitious partnership", but is not ready to sell off access to its market of 440 million consumers, warning that it will not conclude an agreement at "any price".

The United Kingdom, which has been claiming its commercial freedom since the January 31st divorce from the EU, expects nothing more than a "free trade agreement that fully respects" its independence, a goal that seems far below European expectations.

© 2020 AFP