BRUSSELS/LONDON (BELGIUM/UK) – British and European Union negotiators said on Friday they made scant progress in discussions on future trade agreement. They expressed concern that time was running out to strike a deal before a year-end deadline.
“Those who were hoping for negotiations to move swiftly forward this week will have been disappointed,” the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier said.
On the other hand, UK negotiator David Frost said a deal was still possible and is the goal of the British government. However, it would not be an easy task, he added.
“There are … significant areas which remain to be resolved and even where there is a broad understanding between negotiators, there is a lot of detail to work through,” Frost said. “Time is short for both sides.”
After remaining with the EU for 46 years, Britain was the first country to leave it on Jan. 31. Both sides are now discussing a new deal to be effective from next year, which includes trade, transport, energy and security.
The major stumbling blocks for the deal are state aid regulations and fishing quotas.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field