Michel Barnier blames UK's lack of respect as Brexit talks break up early

Michel Barnier has warned that 'serious divergences remain' - Shutterstock
Michel Barnier has warned that 'serious divergences remain' - Shutterstock

Michel Barnier accused British trade negotiators of a lack of respect after Brexit talks ended a day early on Thursday amid "serious divergences" between the UK and the EU.

Mr Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, blamed British intransigence and a refusal to engage in negotiations for the lack of progress in this week's round of talks, which had been meant to close on Friday.

The EU and UK are divided over fishing rights, the future role of the European Court of Justice, Brussels' demands for "level playing field" guarantees and the governance of the future relationship treaty.

"We want a deal but not at any price," said Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, during a press conference with Angela Merkel. The German Chancellor, whose country holds the presidency of the EU, warned the bloc needed to be prepared for a no deal exit.

"Our goal was to get negotiations successfully and quickly on a trajectory to reach an agreement," Mr Barnier said. "However, after four days of discussions, serious divergences remain."

David Frost, the UK's chief negotiator, said: "The negotiations have been comprehensive and useful. But they have also underlined the significant differences that still remain between us on a number of important issues."

Mr Barnier said the EU had "listened carefully" to Boris Johnson during his meeting with three EU presidents earlier this month. The Prime Minister said there could be no obligation on the UK to follow EU law, or for the status quo on fisheries or a role for the EU's top court after the end of the transition period on December 31.

Mr Barnier suggested that while the EU was ready to compromise the UK was not. "The EU expects, in turn, its positions to be better understood and respected in order to reach an agreement," he said. "We need an equivalent engagement by the United Kingdom."

He said there would be no "economic partnership" without "robust guarantees for a level playing field", a "balanced, sustainable and long-term solution for our European fishermen and women" and a single overarching treaty governing the future relationship.

The UK rejects the "level playing field" guarantees because it argues they are stricter than those in other EU trade deals and could restrict its ability to diverge from Brussels' rules. It wants separate agreements rather than a single one, and a Norway-style fishing agreement with annual negotiations.

Failure to agree the trade deal before the end of the transition period will mean both sides trading on less lucrative WTO terms and with tariffs, instead of the zero-tariff agreement both sides want.

Mr Johnson had urged Brussels to put a "tiger in the tank" of the negotiations when both sides agreed to a month-long schedule of intensified talks in July.

Negotiations will continue in London next week, with the UK keen to agree the shape of the final deal by the end of the month. The EU wants the agreement finalised by October so there is time to ratify it before the end of the year.

In a break with tradition, and with British sensitivities in mind ahead of next week, Mr Barnier will not hold his usual press conference after a week of talks on Friday. He has often used the conferences to berate Britain in the past.

There were hopes that the first physical meeting of the two sides since the coronavirus pandemic could have brought a breakthrough after months of deadlock.

"Our talks were face-to-face for the first time since March, and this has given extra depth and flexibility to our discussions," Mr Frost said. "We remain committed to working hard to find an early understanding on the principles underlying an agreement out of the intensified talks process during July."

Mr Barnier said: "We continue to believe that an agreement is possible, and in everyone's interest."