Intensive Brexit talks over weekend as EU urges compromises
I ntensive Brexit t alks will continue over the weekend between Michel Barnier and Lord Frost, Downing Street has said.
A Number 10 spokesman told a Westminster briefing: "Intensive talks are continuing and they will continue over the weekend until the 25th.
"We've published a set of principles for handling these intensified talks and they will continue over the weekend."
Mr Barnier and Lord Frost are expected to join the negotiations with officials.
Talks had been in limbo after Boris Johnson's deadline for a deal passed last week, but they resumed on Thursday as Brussels said both sides needed to compromise on trade issues.
Mr Barnier arrived in London on Thursday evening wearing a face covering printed with the EU flag.
He told reporters: "I think we have a huge common respon
sibility. Every day counts."
Number 10 acknowledged that "significant gaps" remain between the two sides and it was "entirely possible that negotiations will not succeed".
The main stumbling- blocks remain f i shing r i ghts, t he governance of any deal and the "level playing field" aimed at preventing unfair competition, which includes state subsidies.
Time is short to reach an agreement before t he end of the transition period on December 31. Both sides had previously said a deal would need to be reached by mid
October in order to allow time for ratification.
Meanwhile, I nternational Trade Secretary Liz Truss yesterday signed a free trade agreement with Japan, hailing it as the dawn of a new era of free trade.
The UK- Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement ( Cepa) was agreed in principle last month.
Labour has previously said t he net benefit of t he deal would amount to just 0.07 per cent of GDP.
At a signing ceremony i n Tokyo, Ms Truss called the deal "a landmark moment for Britain". It shows what we can do as an independent trading nation, as we secure modern and bespoke provisions in areas like tech and services that are critical to the future of our country and the reshaping of our economy," Ms Truss said.
"Trade is a powerful way to deliver the things people really care about.”