EU's Barnier says just hours left for Brexit talks

December 18, 2020 | 16:04

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Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier warned Friday that post-Brexit trade talks were at a "moment of truth" with just hours left to reach an agreement with Britain.

eus barnier says just hours left for brexit talks

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier speaks during a debate on future relation between the EU and UK at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels on December 18, 2020.(Olivier HOSLET / POOL / AFP)

"It's the moment of truth," Barnier told the European Parliament.

"We have very little time remaining, just a few hours to work through these negotiations... if you want this agreement to enter into force on January 1."

Barnier, who headed into last-ditch talks with his UK counterpart David Frost immediately after meeting MEPs, said fisheries remain the main sticking point.

"I don't think it would be fair, nor acceptable, if European fishermen were not allowed... to have access to those waters," he said.

British companies trading in other areas would "remain stable in their rights", he said, but EU fishing crews would lose out on guaranteed access.

"So that wouldn't be fair, that wouldn't be honest," Barnier said.

Late on Thursday, Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen held a call that failed to break the logjam in trade talks.

"I think I've always been frank with you, and open and sincere," Barnier told the MEPs.

"I cannot say what will come up during this last home straight of the negotiations. We have to be prepared for all eventualities."

Britain left the European Union on January 31 and will leave the EU single market on December 31 at midnight, with or without a follow-on accord.

Without a trade deal, cross-Channel trade will be conducted on basic WTO rules and 47 years of economic integration will be disrupted by tariffs on goods.

AFP

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