UK demands PRECISE terms on post-Brexit trade as Downing Street PLAYS DOWN deal hopes
THERESA May’s Government has played down hopes of a Brexit deal being sealed this month and instead demanded the EU agree to a “precise framework” on the future trading relationship between the two sides.
Senior EU figures including Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk had signalled a breakthrough in the stalled talks could be close, possibly paving the way for an agreement by the end of the year.
But Downing Street said Brussels will need to shift its position on “big issues” if a deal is to be done at all.
And the Prime Minister’s official spokesman also suggested British negotiators are preparing to dig in their heels and insist on a detailed outline of what a post-Brexit trade deal will look like before agreeing to divorce terms.
The UK and EU were scheduled to publish a joint declaration on the future trading relationship by October 10.
There can be no withdrawal agreement without a precise future framework
But the bloc’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, today announced the crucial document would not be ready in time and instead asked for more time to finish it.
The declaration will also include plans for future cooperation on security and foreign policy.
But Mrs May’s spokesman insisted that the UK would not agree to a divorce deal without a “precise future framework” on trade.
He said: “We have always said that we are working hard for a deal this autumn and that continues at pace.
“It is worth me pointing out that there is a difference between people talking optimistically about a deal and a deal – including both a withdrawal agreement and a future framework – actually being agreed.
“There remain big issues to work through and, as the Prime Minister has said, this will require movement on the EU side.
“I would just make that point again that there can be no withdrawal agreement without a precise future framework.”
The UK’s insistence on a detailed plan comes after it was revealed the EU’s planned declaration is just 10 pages long.
Downing Street has hinted such a short document would be unacceptable, and Mrs May will likely need as much detail as possible to sell any deal to MPs in the Commons.
Meanwhile, it emerged Dominic Raab may not travel to Brussels this week.
Number 10 would not confirm whether the Brexit Secretary will make the trip, despite reports he was due to meet with Mr Barnier.
Instead, a further round of technical talks will take place as planned.
The bulk of Britain’s divorce deal has been agreed with the EU, however there is still disagreement over how to handle the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.
Both London and Brussels have committed to avoid a ‘hard border’ - physical infrastructure along the politically sensitive frontier - but there is still no consensus over how this can be achieved.
If a deal is not reached this month, it would be pushed back until an anticipated emergency EU summit in November.