BORIS Johnson said he remained hopeful that a deal can be reached with the European Union despite concerns about a lack of time.
Post-Brexit trade talks between the UK and the European Union are not expected to reach an agreement this week and progress needs to be made soon if a new deal is to be in place by the end of the year when the current arrangements expire.
The EU’s lead negotiator Michel Barnier has been in London for talks which are set to continue on Thursday.
Johnson said: “There is a deal there to be done and we’re keen to do it but it depends on our friends and partners understanding where we need to get to.
“But either way, we’re going to be ready for whatever the outcome is. This country is full of plans and full of resilience and we’ll have a good way forward.”
Ireland’s foreign minister Simon Coveney said he expected talks would continue next week, but neither the UK or EU sides have said this to be true.
One EU source said “next week is a year away in Brexit world” while British officials acknowledged a deal was not expected this week.
The EU wants a deal by mid-November in order for it to be ratified by the time the transition arrangements expire and the UK leaves the customs union and single market.
Coveney told an online event organised by the European Movement: “I think it is quite possible that this could fall apart and we don’t get a deal, that wouldn’t shock me at all.
“But if you are asking me to call it, I think we are more likely to get a deal than not, but I think it’s unlikely this week – hopefully I’ll be proven wrong – I think it’s likely to move into next week.
“But at that point the timelines start to get very tight.”
Coveney said the coming days were “crucial” and “if we don’t have a deal at some point next week I think we have real problems”.
The main stumbling blocks are thought to remain the “level playing field” measures aimed at preventing unfair competition on issues including state subsidies, the ongoing row over fishing rights and how any UK-EU deal will be governed.
Stefaan de Rynck, an adviser to Barnier, insisted the EU side had been willing to compromise in the negotiations – implying that it was British resistance which had prevented progress.
“The EU has been in compromise mode at all negotiation tables, for months,” he said.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel