EU and UK negotiator will get back to the negotiating table next week in Brussels, ahead of Boris Johnson’s deadline to get a free trade agreement and avert a no-deal Brexit.
The prime minister had said he wants an agreement secured by the European Council summit on Thursday and Friday this week, and threatened to walk away if none is secured – but progress has been scarce so far.
Despite some agreement on side-issues like social security cooperation and human rights, the biggest sticking points – fishing access and the so-called “level playing field for regulations” – are as far away as ever.
Downing Street said there had been “useful discussions” in informal talks this week, but the prime minister’s spokesperson emphasised that there were still big differences on “important issue”.
It comes amid reports that Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator has told member states that while a deal is possible, one is unlikely to be worked out in time for next week’s summit.
The EU has also emphasised time pressure throughout the process, citing the need for several months to consider and ratify any agreement struck.
But the European Parliament, the EU institution most keenly aware of the time pressures because of its central role in ratification, has said it could work with an agreement that arrived by the end of the month.
That difference in deadline of two weeks is likely to prove crucial and may present a window of opportunity for a deal.
The Times newspaper reports that Mr Barnier has told EU diplomats that negotiations could continue until the end of the month, rather than stopping at the end of this week. The event would not be a surprise, given the Brexit process since 2016 has been characterised by constantly slipping and postponed deadlines.
Mr Barnier visited London on Friday for informal discussions.
“We have had useful discussions this week,” the prime minister’s spokesman told journalists in Westminster on Friday.
“Progress has been made in some areas, however there still remains differences on some important issues but we remain committed to trying to agree a FTA (free trade agreement).
“We continue to want an agreement, we continue to want an FTA but it is important that we can agree on some issues.”
Mr Johnson and European Council president Ursula von der Leyen agreed last weekend to intensify talks.
Speaking in Dublin on Thursday, the European Council president Charles Michel said it was up to the UK to put its cards on the table
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A message projected onto the White Cliffs of Dover
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 31: Pro Brexit supporters attend the Brexit Day Celebration Party hosted by Leave Means Leave at Parliament Square on January 31, 2020 in London, England. At 11.00pm on Friday 31st January the UK and Northern Ireland exits the European Union, 188 weeks after the referendum on June 23rd, 2016. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Jeff J Mitchell
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Big Ben, shows the hands at eleven o’clock at night
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Nigel Farage speaks to pro-Brexit supporters
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-Brexit demonstrators celebrate on Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU The Union flag is taken down outside the European Parliament in Brussels
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU campaigners outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-Brexit supporter jumps on an EU flag in Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU EU Council staff removed the Union Jack-British flag from the European Council in Brussels, Belgium
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-Brexit supporter pours beer onto an EU flag
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pedestrians pass in front of the Ministry of Defence Building on Whitehall, illuminated by red, white and blue lights in central London
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A Brexit supporter shouts during a rally in London
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU campaigners outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU campaigners take part in a ‘Missing EU Already’ rally outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A large pro-EU banner is projected onto Ramsgate cliff in Kent
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU supporters light candles in Smith Square in Westminster
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man waves Union flags from a small car as he drives past Brexit supporters gathering in Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU The five-year old Elisa Saemann, left, and her seven-year old sister Katie hold a placard during a rally by anti-Brexit protesters outside the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Europe supporters gather on Brexit day near the British embassy in Berlin, Germany
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Anti-Brexit protester hugs a man while holding a placard
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A decorated, old fashioned fire pump in Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit Elvis impersonator performs at Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU An anti-Brexiteers stands with his dog in Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Paddy from Bournemouth wears Union colours as he sits next to an EU flag decorated bag in Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-EU activist plays a guitar decorated with the EU flag during a protest organised by civil rights group New Europeans outside Europe House, central London
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU People celebrate Britain leaving the EU
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A Pro Brexit supporter has a Union Jack painted onto his face at Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Men hold placards celebrating Britain leaving the EU
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit supporters dance in the street draped with Union Jack flags at Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU An anti-Brexit demonstrator spreads his wings during a gathering near Downing Street
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro EU supporters display a banner ‘ Here to Stay, Here to Fight, Migrants In, Tories Out’ from Westminster bridge
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-Brexit supporters burn European Union flags at Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man poses for a picture on Parliament Square in a ‘Brexit Day’ t-shirt
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU People celebrate Britain leaving the EU
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-EU anti-Brexit protester holds up a placard showing Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri in Parliament Square in central London on January 31, 2020 on the day that the UK formally leaves the European Union. – Britain on January 31 ends almost half a century of integration with its closest neighbours and leaves the European Union, starting a new — but still uncertain — chapter in its long history. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) GLYN KIRK
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man wears a pro-Brexit t-shirt
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Anti-Brexit demonstrators visit Europe House to give flowers to the staff on Brexit day
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit supporter wears a novelty Union Jack top hat outside the Houses of Parliament
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Customers Scott Jones and Laura Jones at the Sawmill Bar in South Elmsall, Yorkshire, where a Brexit party is being held throughout the day
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-Brexit demonstrator clenches his fist during a rally in London, Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. Britain officially leaves the European Union on Friday after a debilitating political period that has bitterly divided the nation since the 2016 Brexit referendum. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) Alberto Pezzali
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 31: Pro-EU activists protest at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit on January 31, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. At 11.00pm on Friday 31st January the UK and Northern Ireland will exit the European Union 188 weeks after the referendum on June 23rd 2016. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Jeff J Mitchell
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 31: Pro Brexit supporters hold up placards at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit on January 31, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. At 11.00pm on Friday 31st January the UK and Northern Ireland will exit the European Union 188 weeks after the referendum on June 23rd 2016. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Jeff J Mitchell
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU activists protest
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A pro-Brexit demonstrator burns a European Union flag
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit supporters
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro Brexit supporters
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A Brexit supports holds a sign in Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man carries an EU themed wreath
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Ann Widdecombe reacts with other members of the Brexit party as they leave en masse from the European Parliament
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Anti-Brexit demonstrators in Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro EU supporters let off flares from Westminster Bridge
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU British MEPs Jonathan Bullock, holding the Union Jack flag and Jake Pugh leave the European Parliament, in Brussels on the Brexit day
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Newspapers and other souvenirs at a store, near Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Brexit supporters hold signs in Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU protesters hold placards in Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald with a Border Communities Against Brexit poster before its unveiling in Carrickcarnon on the Irish border
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU National growers organisation British Apples & Pears has renamed a British apple to EOS, the Greek goddess of dawn, to commemorate Brexit day
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Pro-EU protesters hold placards in Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Britain’s departure from the European Union was set in law on January 29, amid emotional scenes, as the bloc’s parliament voted to ratify the divorce papers. After half a century of membership and three years of tense withdrawal talks, the UK will leave the EU at midnight Brussels time (23.00 GMT) on January 31
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man poses with paintings on Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU People sporting Union Flags gather in Parliament Square
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A man walks with a St. George’s flag at Westminster bridge on Brexit day
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU A British bulldog toy and other souvenirs at a souvenir store
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU British pro-brexit Members of the European Parliament leave the EU Parliament for the last time
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Brexit day: UK says goodbye to EU Jonathan Bullock waves the Union Jack as he leaves the European Parliament
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“The coming days are crucial, this is the moment of truth,” Mr Michel, speaking alongside the Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin said.
“I have been very clear with Prime Minister Johnson. It’s now for the UK to restore trust and to put all its cards on the table.
“The EU is doing its utmost to find an agreement with the UK, but not at any cost.”
Source: UK Politics - www.independent.co.uk