LONDON, May 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The third round of negotiations to seek a permanent post-Brexit trade deal between Britain and the European Union (EU) got underway, Monday.
Negotiators are conducting intensive week-long discussions using video links between London and Brussels because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fresh round of talks started against a background of disappointment expressed by the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, at the conclusion of the previous round of talks last month.
Britain is currently in an implementation period after ending its membership in the bloc on Jan 31.
A race is on to make a significant breakthrough before the end of June, the deadline set for a decision on whether to seek an extension of the current implementation period, due to expire on Dec 31.
British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, insisted he will not extend Britain’s links to the bloc beyond the end of this year.
Over the weekend, Johnson held talks with European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, mainly discussing the COVID-19 crisis.
In London, the Daily Express reported Monday that, Britain’s chief Brexit negotiator, David Frost, would issue a fresh warning to Barnier, saying, progress must be made on the deadlocked trade talks this month, because the British government will not seek to delay them.
The report said, Downing Street’s planned rejection of an extension beyond Dec 31 was fuelled by fears Britain could be locked into swathes of EU virus pandemic legislation.
While Barnier expressed his disappointment at the progress in the previous round of talks, Downing Street said, limited progress had been made, adding, talks needed to move forward in a constructive fashion.
Downing Street confirmed Monday, talks were being held and will continue through the week.
A Downing Street spokesperson said, “As the EU looks to deal with the impacts of COVID-19 on the 27 member states, they will need to propose all kinds of new legislation, which will obviously be designed for the 27, rather than being tailored in a way to suit the interests of the UK. An extension to the transition period would bind us into future EU legislation, without us having any say in designing it.”– NNN-AGENCIES
