Davis hits back over EU’S ‘no progress’ claim
Stalemate threatens to delay trade talks as UK is accused of ‘nostalgia’ over single market demands
David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, demanded that the European Union put “people above process” after Brussels’ chief negotiator claimed there had been “no progress” during the third round of negotiations that closed yesterday with the two sides deadlocked.
DAVID DAVIS demanded that the European Union put “people above process” yesterday after Brussels’ chief negotiator claimed there had been “no progress” during Brexit talks.
The Brexit Secretary attacked the EU’S rigid approach to the third round of negotiations that closed in Brussels yesterday with the two sides deadlocked over fundamental issues and with warnings that trade talks will not start in October as originally planned.
During a bad-tempered press conference in the headquarters of the European Commission, Michel Barnier, the EU’S chief Brexit negotiator, said: “There has been no decisive progress on any of the principle subjects.” He added: “Time is passing quickly and was short to start with.”
Mr Davis said: “Our discussions this week have exposed yet again that the UK’S approach is substantially more flexible and pragmatic than that of the EU as it avoids unnecessary disruption for businesses and consumers. We urge the EU to be more imaginative and flexible in their approach to withdrawal on this point.”
Mr Barnier chided Britain for unrealistic expectations of single market access after Brexit, saying the UK demands suggested a “nostalgia” for an organisation it had decided to leave. “I wouldn’t confuse a belief in the free market for nostalgia,” Mr Davis shot back.
Mr Barnier had said: “I see a sort of nostalgia in the form of specific requests that would amount to enjoying the benefits of the single market without being part of it. Brexit means Brexit and leaving the single market means leaving the single market.”
Last night it emerged the EU is demanding billions of pounds after Brexit for aid to Africa, loans to Ukraine and environmental projects in Europe, including bridges for wildlife. Mr Barnier said there were “joint obligations towards third countries” which need to be addressed “seriously and rigorously”.
The ongoing row will cause particular embarrassment for Theresa May, who spent much of yesterday assuring business leaders in Japan that Brexit was going smoothly and they could invest in the UK with confidence.
Mrs May, who had meetings with the bosses of Toyota, Nissan and Hitachi, later went to a state banquet with Shinzo Abe, the prime minister, apparently unaware of what was going on in Brussels.
The exchange came after four days of talks that brought little progress on the issues of Ireland, citizens’ rights and the financial settlement to leave the EU.
This week, The Daily Telegraph reported that French officials had suggested the UK should seek a transition deal as a means of breaking the impasse.