Michel Barnier to visit London for talks on post-Brexit trade deal
The European Union’s chief negotiator will head to London on Wednesday for informal post-Brexit talks with the UK Government.
Michel Barnier 's visit is intended to prepare for next week’s formal negotiating round but comes as relations between Boris Johnson’s administration and Brussels are under severe strain.
A row over the UK’s apparent readiness to break international law by tearing up parts of the Brexit divorce deal relating to Northern Ireland has soured relations.
Talks on a trade deal are continuing, but both sides have said major stumbling blocks remain and time is running out to get an agreement.
A consensus will need to be reached by the end of October in order to ratify it and have it in place when the current transition arrangements expire at the end of the year.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Mr Barnier’s visit was part of the informal talks process which both the UK and the EU committed to.
“You have seen a number of these informal discussions both in Brussels and in London in recent weeks,” the spokesman said.
“We have always stressed that we believe a deal is possible and we will continue to work hard on securing a deal.
“Time is obviously in short supply as we move towards the middle of October.”
