Talks on Brexit will continue this week in London, with “significant differences” remaining over key issues such as fishing as the deadline for a deal with the EU edges closer.
Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed during a phone call yesterday to “redouble efforts” to reach a trade deal.
Downing Street said the Prime Minister told his Brussels counterpart that there remained “significant differences” in the UK-EU negotiations, with the two sides continuing to be apart on their positions over fishing rights and a level playing field agreement.
Von der Leyen said some progress had been made, but “large differences” remained.
The call follows two weeks of intensified talks between the UK’s chief negotiator Lord Frost and his European Union equivalent Michel Barnier.
A No 10 spokesperson said it had been a “stock take” on the progress in the negotiations between the UK and the EU.
She said: “The Prime Minister set out that, while some progress had been made in recent discussions, significant differences remain in a number of areas, including the so-called level playing field and fish.
“The Prime Minister and president agreed that their negotiating teams would continue talks in London next week, beginning on Monday, in order to redouble efforts to reach a deal.
“They agreed to remain in personal contact about the negotiations.”
Von der Leyen tweeted: “Some progress has been made, but large differences remain especially on level playing field and fisheries. Our teams will continue working hard next week.”
Briefings between the two leaders are regarded as key moments in the cross-Channel bartering.
Their conversation last month led to discussions being “intensified” before a fallout after the European Council meeting on October 15 briefly derailed the negotiations.
Ireland’s Europe minister Thomas Byrne, speaking before the phone call, cast doubt that the conversation would lead to white smoke on agreeing a deal, saying discussions are still at a “technical level”.
He said: “I personally don’t expect that there would be major progress today but at the same time I think it is very good that the top two are talking – I think that’s really positive but I don’t think we would expect ‘a moment’ at this particular point.”
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