Brexit trade talks are “running out of time” and must intensify, the European Commission president has warned.
Ursula von der Leyen made her comments ahead of a video meeting with Boris Johnson on Saturday, when the pair of leaders will take stock of progress towards a deal so far.
“We have in German a saying: ‘Wo ein Wille ist, ist auch ein Weg ’, translated it is more or less ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way’,” the Commission president told reporters in Brussels.
“We should not forget we have made progress on many, many different fields but of course the most difficult ones are still open.”
“I think we should intensify the negotiations because it is worth working hard on it.
But asked whether negotiations would go into a “tunnel” – jargon for a period of intensive discussions held in private without the usual degree of transparency – she replied: “I don’t like the term ‘tunnel’, to be honest, because it’s a word association… we’re running out of time, I think 100 days until the end of the year. So it’s worth to step up now.”
Both sides say they are moving closer to a free trade agreement to avoid a no-deal Brexit at the end of the year, but that sticking points remain. Key issues yet to be resolved are the question of fishing rights for EU fleets in British waters, and the extent to which the UK would align with EU rules, notably on state aid.
Boris Johnson has said a deal must be in place by the upcoming European Council summit scheduled for 15 and 16 October, a timetable echoed by the European Parliament, which says it needs time to scrutinise an agreement and get it operational by the end of the year.
But progress was dealt a blow last month after the UK government published a draft law that would override parts of the withdrawal agreement – notably new checks between Northern Ireland and Great Britain signed up to by Mr Johnson.
The European Commission began a process of legal action against the UK on Thursday over the issue after the British government refused to withdraw the offending clauses, which ministers admit break not just the treaty but international law.
Also speaking on Friday, German chancellor Angela Merkel said the UK decision to try and break parts of the Brexit withdrawal agreement with the Internal Market Bill had been a “bitter” moment.
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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 French newspapers
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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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At her own press conference after a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels she said negotiations on trade were “heading for a crucial phase”, but said the EU was in a “constructive” mood.
“A lot will be determined by what the UK wants or does not want. As long as talks are ongoing I remain optimistic,” she said.
Source: UK Politics - www.independent.co.uk