The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier met his counterpart in Downing Street on Tuesday evening, in the latest bid to unblock stalled Brexit talks.
Fish was on the menu at No.10 as Mr Barnier and David Frost dined on a fillet of halibut, chargrilled asparagus, and a terrine of summer fruits.
Fishing rights for EU fleets in British waters are also among issues that need to be ironed out for a free trade agreement to be struck.
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Other stumbling blocks included the so-called “level playing field” on regulations demanded by the EU, workers’ rights, and state aid rules.
“The EU wants an agreement – and we are doing everything to succeed – but not at any price,” Mr Barnier said ahead of the meeting.
“We are engaging constructively and I look forward to equivalent engagement from the UK this week.”
The meeting is the first “intensified” round of discussions aimed at bolstering the schedule of negotiations, which is falling dangerously behind schedule and risking a no-deal.
Boris Johnson’s spokesperson said that the “informal” talks would “cover everything from what the EU calls the level playing field through to governance structures”.
They confirmed that no ministers would be present at the dinner but that “one or two” officials from each side might attend. No.10 social social distancing rules would be adhered to.
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Pro-Brexit supporters celebrating in Parliament Square, after the UK left the European Union on 31 January. Ending 47 years of membership
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Big Ben, shows the hands at eleven o’clock at night
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Pro Brexit supporters attend the Brexit Day Celebration Party hosted by Leave Means Leave
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Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage smiles on stage
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A Brexit supporter celebrates during a rally in Parliament square
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Nigel Farage speaks to pro-Brexit supporters
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JD Wetherspoon Chairman Tim Martin speaks as people wave flags
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Brexit supporters wave Union flags as they watch the big screen
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Brexit Party leader, Nigel Farage arrives
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Brexit supporters gather
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Ann Widdecombe speaks to pro-Brexit supporters
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Brexit supporters wave Union flags as they watch the big screen
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People wave British Union Jack flags as they celebrate
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Pro-Brexit demonstrators celebrate on Parliament Square on Brexit day
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Pro-Brexit supporters celebrating in Parliament Square, after the UK left the European Union on 31 January. Ending 47 years of membership
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Big Ben, shows the hands at eleven o’clock at night
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Pro Brexit supporters attend the Brexit Day Celebration Party hosted by Leave Means Leave
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Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage smiles on stage
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People celebrate in Parliament Square
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A Brexit supporter celebrates during a rally in Parliament square
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Police form a line at Parliament Square to prevent a small group of anti-Brexit protestors from going through to the main Brexit rally
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Nigel Farage speaks to pro-Brexit supporters
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JD Wetherspoon Chairman Tim Martin speaks as people wave flags
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Brexit supporters wave Union flags as they watch the big screen
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Brexit Party leader, Nigel Farage arrives
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Brexit supporters gather
AP
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Ann Widdecombe speaks to pro-Brexit supporters
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Brexit supporters wave Union flags as they watch the big screen
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AFP via Getty
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People wave British Union Jack flags as they celebrate
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Pro-Brexit demonstrators celebrate on Parliament Square on Brexit day
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A pro-Brexit supporter jumps on an EU flag
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A man waves Union flags from a small car as he drives past Brexit supporters gathering
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A pro-Brexit supporter pours beer onto an EU flag
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An EU flag lies trampled in the mud
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Face-to-face meetings resumed in Brussels for the first time last week after months of videoconferencing in which little progress was made on key issues.
Both sides say they want an agreement by the autumn but if no deal is struck by the beginning of 2021 the UK will leave the single market without a deal – a policy that is expected to come with severe economic damage.
