UK, EU Leaders To Hold Call In Bid For Brexit Breakthrough
Faizan Hashmi Published December 05, 2020 | 08:17 PM
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will hold talks Saturday to try to break the deadlock in post-Brexit trade deal negotiations as time runs short
London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Dec, 2020 ) :British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will hold talks Saturday to try to break the deadlock in post-Brexit trade deal negotiations as time runs short.
The crunch phone call, set for late afternoon, follows UK and European Union envoys pausing last-ditch talks late Friday and acknowledging that the conditions for an agreement had not been met.
In a joint statement, top British negotiator David Frost and his European counterpart Michel Barnier said "significant divergences" remained over several key issues that have stalled talks since the summer.
Pressure is growing on both sides to strike a deal with just weeks left until the 11-month Brexit transition period ends on December 31.
A deal is seen as essential to avoid deep disruption on both sides -- but especially in Britain -- to economies already damaged by the coronavirus pandemic.
EU Commission President von der Leyen was said to be in "constant contact" with member state leaders, and would be briefed by Barnier before the call.
The EU's chief negotiator told reporters in London ahead of his return to Brussels that his team would "keep calm, as always".
"If there is still a way, we will see," he added.
Johnson and von der Leyen last spoke on November 7, but a month later Britain and the bloc remain divided over so-called level playing field provisions, governance and fisheries.
A European source told AFP on Friday of "serious difficulties" at this crucial late stage in the process, while UK government sources told British media outlets the EU side was making "completely unrealistic" demands.
Johnson may also try to speak with other European leaders over the weekend, including French President Emmanuel Macron, according to the Financial Times.
Bloc leaders will hold a summit on Thursday, by which time many expect to know whether reaching a Brexit deal is feasible.
"I would expect instructions for the negotiators to finish the talks in a couple of days. But a breakdown also has a considerable chance," another European source said.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Pak, NZ T20I series online ticket booking from tomorrow
Pak-Türkiye strategize to boost bilateral trade to $5 billion
Chief Representative of CFFEX in Pakistan and PSX Director meet Finance Minister
SC conditionally allows army courts to announce reserved verdicts
12 suspects criminals arrests in search operation:SSP Larkana
Mayor Karachi chairs meeting of SSWMB
PMDC’s int’l recognition ‘historic milestone’ for Pakistan’s health in ..
Secretary HUD&PHE Asad Ullah Khan visits RDA
NHA mobilizes efforts to clear landslide in Zhob-Dhanasar section of N-50
Interior Minister, CM KP vow to eliminate terrorism
China to surpass 1 billion 5G connections this year: GSMA
Students gather at GCU to express solidarity with Palestinians, Kashmiris
More Stories From World
-
'Operation Beethoven': Dutch 2.5bn-euro charm offensive to keep ASML
55 minutes ago -
Bulgaria thrown into fresh political turmoil as snap elections loom
56 minutes ago -
China-India hold meeting to discuss border affairs in Beijing
1 hour ago -
French bill seeks to ban hair discrimination affecting black women
1 hour ago -
China willing to work with Pakistan to enhance capability of tackling security challenges: Col Wu Qi ..
55 minutes ago -
Pakistan to bring perpetrator of Dasu terrorist attack to justice soon: Lin Jian
2 hours ago
-
Financial crisis at UK's biggest water supplier worsens
2 hours ago -
French parliament backs bill against hair discrimination affecting black women
2 hours ago -
Poland raids Russian spy network: security services
2 hours ago -
UK greenhouse gas emissions fell 5.4% in 2023: data
2 hours ago -
Haiti situation 'cataclysmic': UN
4 hours ago -
Profits fall for China's top chipmaker as sanctions bite
4 hours ago