London (AFP)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday conditioned the continuation of post-Brexit trade negotiations on "a fundamental change of approach" on the part of the Europeans, despite the threat of a "no deal" on January 1st.

Thursday's EU summit gave rise to a new dialogue of the deaf, with the 27 demanding concessions from London, while saying they want to continue talks to reach a free trade agreement before next year, when EU rules cease to apply in UK.

"They have given up on the idea of ​​a free trade agreement, there does not seem to be any progress from Brussels so what we say to them is: come and see us if there is a fundamental change in approach. , otherwise it would be fine for us to talk about the practical details "of an exit without a trade deal," Boris Johnson said on British television.

After her speech, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen assured that European negotiators would go to London next week "to intensify" the discussions.

Brussels believes that a compromise on a possible free trade agreement must be found by the end of October in order to be able to be implemented in January.

But Boris Johnson had made Thursday's European summit a deadline, arguing that for lack of compromise, the two parties should "accept it and move forward".

EU Heads of State and Government noted "with concern that progress made on key issues of interest to the Union is still not sufficient for an agreement to be reached" in the short time it takes. still have both parties.

They demanded that London do "whatever is necessary to make a deal possible", appearing to harden their stance on talks earlier in the week between Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, then went back in part on this strong statement, calling for concessions on both sides to unblock negotiations.

-Barnier proposes to continue -

But London was stung.

British negotiator David Frost said Thursday evening "disappointed" by European demands and even "surprised that the EU is no longer committed to working intensively".

The talks between London and Brussels are still stumbling on three subjects: access for Europeans to fish-rich British waters, the guarantees demanded in London in terms of competition - despite recent progress - and how to settle disputes in the future agreement.

"They want to continue to control our legislative freedom and our fishing industry in a way that is completely unacceptable," Boris Johnson denounced Friday.

The Prime Minister had already said that his country was ready for a "no deal", which would mark the sudden introduction of quotas and customs duties between the bloc and the United Kingdom, and would block access to British waters for fishermen Europeans.

European negotiator Michel Barnier, however, assured Thursday that he wanted to continue negotiating "intensively" next week in London, then the following week in Brussels.

"I suggested to the British team to negotiate in the short space of time we have left, so as to discuss an agreement until the end of October," he explained, saying to himself "absolutely determined to find a fair deal ".

Michel Barnier "has all the flexibility necessary to continue negotiating", assured Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin on Friday morning, whose country is on the front line in the event of failure.

© 2020 AFP