The new round of negotiations on future relations between the UK and Europe ends, the UK says it is “possible to reach an agreement”
On the 23rd local time, the latest round of negotiations on future relations between Britain and Europe ended in London, England.
Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator in charge of Brexit affairs, said after the conclusion of the negotiations that the UK has not shown “willingness to break the deadlock” on issues of fishing rights and a level playing field. In view of Britain's position on these two issues, "it seems that no agreement can be reached at the moment." He said that unless the UK changes its position, the risk of no agreement still exists. Barnier said that an agreement needs to be reached by October at the latest to get approval before the end of the Brexit transition period in December.
Frost, the chief representative of the Brexit negotiations, issued a statement after the conclusion of the negotiations, saying that the current EU’s approach to breaking the deadlock cannot meet the UK’s “fundamental principles”. Fishing rights and a level playing field are still the “most difficult issues” in the UK-EU negotiations. "Partially", although there is still a "considerable gap" between the positions of Britain and Europe, he still believes that an agreement can be reached in September, and the government still needs to face the possibility that an agreement cannot be reached.
Frost said that Britain has always insisted on reaching a series of separate agreements in different areas, and is now willing to consider a "simpler" agreement structure. He also said that the United Kingdom requested that the role of the European Court of Justice be restricted after the transition period, and the European Union has shown a "pragmatic attitude" to the United Kingdom's requirements.
In addition to the difficulties of fishing rights and a level playing field, Britain and Europe also have differences on the issue of “state subsidies”. Barnier said that in order to reach an agreement, the EU will require the UK to provide "soundness" guarantees on the rules for providing state support to companies in the future. He criticized the "unclear" future rules provided by the UK and called on the UK to provide more details.
The current round of negotiations started in London on the 20th. This is also the second meeting between Barnier and Frost since the start of the "strengthening negotiations". Next week, Frost and Barnier will meet informally in London, and the next round of formal negotiations between Britain and Europe will be held in Brussels in mid-August. (Main station reporter Kang Xindong)