UK minister does not see imminent Brexit deal

PARIS: Britain’s foreign minister played down on Thursday the prospect of an imminent deal on Brexit and called for greater efforts to be made in the negotiations to “understand the other’s perspective.”

After a speech in Paris that sought to soothe tensions with France caused by Britain’s exit from the European Union, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt was asked if a deal was within reach in the next week.

“Seven days is probably pushing it, but I am optimistic that there will be a Brexit deal but I wouldn’t want to be drawn on a specific timescale,” he told an audience at the British Embassy.

Negotiators have been racing the clock to try to agree the outlines of a withdrawal agreement that could be approved at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels this month, but hopes are fading.

EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned on Wednesday that “more work is needed” in the talks.

Hunt used his speech, delivered in French, to pay tribute to the “bonds of friendship and commerce” between Britain and France and to make the case for the closest possible relationship between the allies after Brexit.

France has taken a hard line in the negotiations, with President Emmanuel Macron insistent that Britain should not be allowed to negotiate advantages for itself as it withdraws from the European Union. Britain is due to leave the 28-nation bloc on March 29 next year.