Michel Barnier: ‘Significant differences remain’ after Brexit round

“Significant differences remain in areas of essential interest for the EU,” the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier said after this week’s round of Brexit negotiations.

Both sides had hoped to make progress in this week’s negotiating round to reach a deal on the future relationship before the European Council mid-October in order to get it ratified before the transition period ends on December 31.

“In order to maximize the chances of a deal, the EU has shown flexibility to work around the U.K’.s red lines and find solutions that fully respect the U.K.’s sovereignty,” Barnier said. “In particular with regard to the role of the European Court of Justice, the future legislative autonomy of the U.K., and fisheries. However, on its side, the U.K. has not engaged in a reciprocal way on fundamental EU principles and interests.”

The talks were also disrupted because of the announcement of the U.K.’s controversial draft Internal Market Bill, which led to emergency talks in London Thursday between U.K. Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove and European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič. The EU wants London to withdraw certain measures of the draft legislation “in the shortest time possible and in any case by the end of the month,” threatening legal action to address “violations” of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

Barnier did not mention this in his statement, but did say that “to conclude a future partnership, mutual trust and confidence are and will be necessary.”

He also stressed that while the chief negotiators will remain in contact over the coming days, “the EU is intensifying its preparedness work to be ready for all scenarios on 1 January 2021.”