British and EU negotiators have agreed to “pause” talks on a post-Brexit trade deal amid continuing “significant divergences” on key issues.
In a joint statement, Michel Barnier and Lord Frost said they had suspended discussions while they brief Boris Johnson and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on the state of play.
The two leaders will then discuss the situation in a call on Saturday afternoon.
Here is a statement from myself and @MichelBarnier about the state of play in our negotiations. pic.twitter.com/P5Uhg7RQUz
— David Frost (@DavidGHFrost) December 4, 2020
“After one week of intense negotiation in London, the two chief negotiators agreed today that the conditions for an agreement are not met, due to significant divergences on level playing field, governance and fisheries,” the statement said.
“On this basis, they agreed to pause the talks in order to brief their principals on the state of play of the negotiations.”
The latest delay to the negotiations comes after Downing Street said they had reached a “very difficult point” in the negotiations.
READ MORE: No deal fears rise as Brexit trade talks hit the buffers
With time running out for an agreement before the current Brexit transition period ends at the end of the month, UK sources have accused the EU of trying to introduce “new elements” into the negotiations at the 11th hour.
Meanwhile, France’s Europe minister, Clement Beaune, has publicly warned that his country could veto any agreement if it did not satisfy their conditions.
After one week of intense negotiations in London, together with @DavidGHFrost, we agreed today that the conditions for an agreement are not met, due to significant divergences on level playing field, governance and fisheries.
— Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) December 4, 2020
A No 10 spokesman said: “We are committed to working hard to try and reach an agreement with the EU and the talks are ongoing.
“There are still some issues to overcome. Time is in very short supply and we are at a very difficult point in the talks.
“What is certain is we will not be able to agree a deal that doesn’t respect our fundamental principles on sovereignty, fishing and control.
“Our negotiating team is working extremely hard in order to bridge the gaps that remain.”
We agreed to pause the talks in order to brief our Principals on the state of play of the negotiations. President @vonderleyen and Prime Minister Johnson will discuss the state of play tomorrow afternoon.
— Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) December 4, 2020
After months of circling round the same key issues, their had been hopes that this weekend would be the point when the two sides would finally make the moves needed to get an agreement over the line.
READ MORE: Office of Budget Responsibility warns of no-deal impact
At the same time there had been an expectation that Mr Johnson and Mrs von der Leyen would have to come together to resolve the most problematic issues.
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