Boris: EU still is not serious about talks
BORIS Johnson has said Brussels has not done enough to convince the UK it is serious about saving trade talks – despite a dramatic U- turn by the bloc.
After months of refusing to put pen to paper, Brexit talks chief Michel Barnier yesterday offered to step up negotiations and work on a legal text setting out the terms of a deal.
The climbdown came after “constructive” exchanges with the UK’s negotiator, Tory peer David Frost.
But Downing Street said the Prime Minister does not believe enough has shifted to resume negotiations.
A spokesman said: “The UK has noted the EU’s proposal to genuinely intensify talks, which is what would be expected at this stage in a negotiation. However, the UK continues to believe there is no basis to resume talks unless there is a fundamental change of approach from the EU. This means an EU approach consistent with trying to find an agreement between sovereign equals and with acceptance that movement needs to come from the EU side as well as the UK.”
Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said the EU’s shift showed Mr Johnson’s “strength and resolution” were now “bearing fruit”.
He said he hoped the EU move was more than an “illusion of engagement without the reality of compromise”.
Relations between London and Brussels broke down last week after a European Council summit failed to provide a breakthrough and watered down commitments to round- theclock negotiations.
Mr Gove insisted the Government was still “absolutely” committed to securing an agreement, but said: “Come what may, on December 31 [ the end of the Brexit transition period] we will take back control.”
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster told MPs EU demands for full permanent access to UK fishing waters with the same quotas were unacceptable.
He said: “We recognise that there will be some turbulence but we’ve not come so far to falter now when we are so close to reclaiming our sovereignty.
“We have to be in control of our own borders, our fishing, we have to set our own laws.”
Brussels insiders said Mr Barnier was given permission to compromise amid fears any prolonged wrangling would see both sides run out of time.
The EU believes it is vital to resume talks in London this week if it is to conclude a deal before December 31.
One source said: “We don’t have the luxury to have this thing dragging on, we should get back to the substance as soon as possible.”
Agreement
European Commission vicepresident Maros Sefcovic said the bloc was ready to work “until the last minute for a “good agreement for both parties” but warned it had to be fair for both sides.
Downing Street says if no deal is in place by the end of the year, the UK will not return to talks in 2021.
The Government has urged businesses to get ready for tax and customs changes from January 1.
WHEN will the EU learn we’re deadly serious about our red lines. It’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier has finally offered to intensify talks after realising the threats at last week’s European Council summit had backfired. But even now Downing Street says there is “no basis to resume talks unless there is a fundamental change of approach from the EU”. Any deal has to be “between sovereign equals”.
Exactly. Reclaiming our sovereignty, controlling our borders and setting our own laws is why this nation voted for Brexit.
One thing is certain, and from which we won’t be budged, that on December 31 we take back control for good.