Brexit talks end a day early as 'significant differences' remain

Brexit trade talks in Brussels have ended a day early as David Frost, the UK’s chief negotiator, warned that “significant differences” remain between the two sides.

The meetings taking place this week had been the first in-person discussions since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, with conversations previously held via videoconference.

But by Thursday lunchtime, officials said they had got as far as they could this week, despite the planned schedule including sessions later in the day and a further meeting on Friday.

The two sides will meet again next week in London, but appeared to disagree on the nature of the coming meeting.

Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, said in a statement that “the next round of negotiations” would be on 20 July and that there would be “discussions” in London next week, while Mr Frost said, “Talks will continue next week in London as agreed in the revised terms of reference.”

They also disagreed on how long they had been talking for this week, with the UK saying meetings had been “just over three” days and the EU characterising the discussions as “four days”.

Mr Frost said this week’s cut-short talks were “comprehensive and useful” and had covered “the full range of issues”.

But he added: “They have also underlined the significant differences that still remain between us on a number of important issues.”

Mr Barnier said in a statement: “After four days of discussions, serious divergences remain. The EU side had listened carefully to UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s statements in recent weeks, in particular, his request to reach a political agreement quickly, and his red lines: no role for the European Court of Justice in the UK; no obligation for the UK to continue to be bound by EU law; and an agreement on fisheries that shows Brexit makes a real difference.”

The EU’s chief negotiator added that the commission had “listened carefully” to Mr Johnson’s arguments but that “the EU expects, in turn, its positions to be better understood and respected in order to reach an agreement”. He called for “equivalent engagement by the United Kingdom”.

Next week’s meeting will be the first time talks have taken place in London. A previous plan to hold discussions in the British capital near the start of negotiations was abandoned due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Both sides agreed this month to intensify the schedule of discussions, but issues such as fishing rights, EU regulations, governance and police cooperation are proving to be major sticking points.

A row this week about financial services access came as German chancellor Angela Merkel said the EU had to be prepared for a no deal. Both sides want to reach an agreement in the autumn so that it can be signed off by the end of the year, when the transition period ends.

The withdrawal agreement included a provision to extend the transition period by up to two years and keep Britain in the EU’s orbit for longer, but Mr Johnson refused to use the provision. The deadline for extension passed on 1 July.