Barnier ‘keen and eager’ for progress as Brussels talks resume

David Davis insisted there are “no excuses” for standing in the way of progress over Britain’s exit from the European Union as the fourth round of talks resumed in Brussels.

The Brexit Secretary said Theresa May’s speech in Florence on the strategy for quitting the bloc set out concrete proposals and a breakthrough was now needed.

But the EU’S chief negotiator insisted real progress on the divorce bill, citizens’ rights and the Irish border was “essential” to move on the discussions. Michel Barnier said he was “keen and eager” to see how the Prime Minister’s speech would be turned into a negotiating strategy.

“We do not need to remind ourselves that we are six months into the process. We are getting closer to the UK’S withdrawal and I think that this moment should be a moment of clarity,” he said.

Mr Davis said the latest citizens’ rights would be incorporated fully into UK law, progress had been made on resolving the Irish border and insisted the UK would “honour commitments” made during its EU membership.

“It will take pragmatism on both sides to make headway and I hope we can achieve that this week, he said.”

After a meeting earlier of the European Parliament Brexit steering group, Mr Barnier insisted Britain must defer to European courts during any Brexit transition period.

He said: “If the UK is asking for a transitional period, well it’s the UK asking for it. We are not asking for it.

“If the idea is that during this period they will still participate in the single market and the customs union and the policies of the single market, then it is quite clear that all European regulations, enforcement, financial conditions, supervision, all of that has to be maintained during the self-same period without any exceptions.”