Brexit: Michel Barnier arrives in UK as trade talks restart

The EU’s chief negotiator has warned that time is running out to strike a post-Brexit trade deal, as talks resumed after a week-long standoff.

Arriving in London, Michel Barnier said “every day counts,” ahead of face-to-face negotiations with his UK counterpart Lord David Frost.

Officials from both sides will hold “intensified” daily talks in the run-up to December’s deadline for a deal.

No 10 has warned “significant gaps ” remain in the most difficult areas.

Negotiations stalled last week after a summit in Brussels where EU leaders called on the UK to “make the necessary moves” towards a deal.

But the UK side agreed to resume talks after Mr Barnier said “compromises on both sides” were needed, in a speech on Wednesday.

Both sides are seeking an agreement to govern their trading relationship once the UK’s post-Brexit transition period ends in January 2021.

Key areas of disagreement include fishing rights, post-Brexit competition rules and how any deal would be enforced.

Arriving in the UK, Mr Barnier told reporters it was “important to be back at the table”, and the two sides shared a “huge common responsibility”.

Earlier on Thursday, the prime minister’s official spokesman also acknowledged “time is now very short” for the two sides to reach a deal.

Source: BBC