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14 December 2020 EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said today that it is still possible to sign a new trade pact with Great Britain and that negotiations between the two sides are continuing even after the deadline has expired. for yesterday, in order to try to resolve the rifts in access to UK fishing waters and the rules of economic fair play for companies.



"We have only been negotiating for nine months, it has taken at least five years for all previous agreements, we will give every chance to this agreement ... which is still possible," Barnier told reporters in Brussels.



"A good balanced agreement. This means two conditions that are not yet met: free and fair competition ... and an agreement that guarantees mutual access to markets and waters. And it is on these points that we have not found the right balance with the British. So we keep working, "he added.    



EU Brexit chief negotiator Michel Barnier said negotiations to find a trade deal with London will end when an agreement is found.

"The end" will come "when we reach an agreement on both fair and free competition and on fishing," Barnier told Sky News.



"It is our responsibility to give the talks every chance of success. Never before has such a broad agreement (trade, energy, fisheries, transport, police and judicial cooperation, etc.) been negotiated in such a transparent and so little time, "says Barnier, on Twitter." The next few days are important to ensure that an agreement between the EU and the UK is in effect on January 1, 2021 - he adds - fair competition and a sustainable solution for our fishermen and our women are essential to reach an agreement ". 



Gentiloni: "There is political will"

 "The discussions continue. If the discussion has been postponed it means that there is still room for negotiations. We know that the days are numbered, I am neither optimistic nor pessimistic. I simply take note that the deadline has been postponed, so that there is the desire, the political will on the part of the British government to arrive at a simpler negotiation ".

This was stated by Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economic Affairs, in his speech at the Rome Investment Forum 2020.



"On the part of the EU there is the good will to reach an agreement without undermining the single market which would have very high costs", he said. added, explaining that "in the event of a hard Brexit" Brussels will support "the countries that will be most affected by the no deal".