Chinanews, December 17th, a comprehensive report, as the United Kingdom and the European Union extend the deadline for Brexit trade negotiations, the two sides are working hard to reach an agreement before the end of the Brexit transition period.
Although the two sides have made progress in some areas, there seems to be a certain distance between reaching an agreement.
EU: Narrowing differences is critical in the next few days
On the 16th local time, European Commission President Von der Lein stated that the EU and the UK are working hard to negotiate a Brexit trade agreement. The good news is that the differences have been reduced from three to two. There is still a "narrow road" to reach an agreement. The next few days are critical.
On January 29, local time, the European Parliament approved the "Brexit" agreement.
After the voting ended, the parliamentarians sang the classic Scottish song "Friendship is Everlasting" hand in hand, and bid farewell to Britain with this well-known "Farewell Song".
China News Agency issued photos for EU
At present, the differences between the EU and the UK that have been unable to reach an agreement are mainly in important areas including fisheries, regulatory governance, and fair competition.
Von Delane pointed out that the good news is to find a way forward with the British side, but a consensus on a level playing field and fisheries remains to be sought.
She specifically mentioned fisheries, saying that it is still difficult to reach a consensus at this time, and reiterated that the European side does not question Britain’s sovereignty over waters, but fishermen from EU member states also need to have the stability to enter British waters. The only correct and responsible approach is Keep trying to find a solution.
Von der Lein emphasized that negotiations will be critical in the next few days, but she said that she knew these things had been said before, and she also knew that the deadline was delayed again and again.
Data map: British Prime Minister Johnson.
UK: "There is still a chance" but the gap remains
On the other hand, British Prime Minister Johnson also stated to lawmakers that Britain and the European Union "still have a chance" to reach an agreement in the Brexit negotiations.
Johnson’s spokesperson said on the 16th: “We have made some progress in some areas, but there are still some major gaps.”
But he also added that "this is still the case" and Johnson believes that the "most likely outcome" is that no agreement is reached.
In accepting the last Prime Minister's question and answer before Christmas, Johnson said that there is still opportunity and hope to reach an agreement with friends and partners across the Strait.
"They have to understand that the UK, like any other country, has the natural rights to control its own fishing grounds."
He also emphasized that “no matter what happens in the next few days”, whether an agreement is reached or not, the UK will “prosper and prosper”.
Less than 15 days left! Can Brexit be a smooth transition?
As it is less than 15 days before the end of the Brexit transition period, whether Britain and Europe can reach a trade agreement and whether the agreement can take effect in time is also of concern.
Von der Lein called to the European Parliament on the 16th, saying that the urgency of time has made the situation very difficult, especially the European Parliament needs time to implement the review and approval, "But I want to sincerely thank the European Parliament for its support and understanding. If we negotiate The agreement can be counted on by the European Parliament."
But even if an agreement is reached, the document must be translated into more than 20 languages for the European Parliament to review and vote.
The European Parliament has stated that the process will take 6 weeks, but the time is obviously not enough.
The outside world is also concerned about how the European Parliament can comply with procedures and show flexibility.
Britain officially left the European Union on January 31, 2020, and then entered an 11-month transition period.
The two sides started negotiations on future relations with a trade agreement as the core in March, and look forward to reaching an agreement during the transition period.
On the 13th local time, British Prime Minister Johnson and European Commission President Von der Lein agreed to continue Brexit trade negotiations with a view to reaching an agreement before December 31.
The 13th was originally the deadline for UK-EU trade negotiations.
Von der Lein has previously stated that the EU team is working hard to reach a post-Brexit trade agreement with the British government. Judging from the current situation, it is impossible to say whether an agreement will be reached.
If the two sides still fail to reach an agreement within the transition period, the bilateral trade will return to the World Trade Organization framework from 2021 and re-implement arrangements such as border inspections and tariffs.