Categories: Europe

Brexit deal on verge of being finalised as deadline nears

Brexit deal: EU and UK negotiators have finalised a possible Brexit deal with talks on key issues still underway

EU and UK negotiators have indicated that a trade and security agreement is close to being finalised after marathon talks over a Brexit deal. As per media reports, both sides have managed to reach a breakthrough by finalising as much as 95 percent of the EU-UK free trade deal. After the Coronavirus pandemic 

However, the risk of a no-deal Brexit is still looming upon the two sides as negotiations on some key issues are not showing necessary progress. Amid the prevailing Coronavirus scare, much of the negotiations are being conducted virtually.

Reportedly, Ilze Juhansone, senior-most official of the European Commission, has told Brussels representatives that talks on the majority of the 11 key negotiation issues are progressing with few points remaining for discussion.

Addressing a news briefing on Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the progress made during this week’s talks even after the Coronavirus pandemic halted the process. She further added that there are still some metres to the finish line since a lot of work is still left to do in the deal. 

“Within the frame of the level playing field, progress, for example, has been made on the question of state aid, but there are still quite some metres to the finish line so there’s still a lot of work to do,” she said. 

As per a Daily Express report, some progress has also been made on the contentious issue of EU’s access to UK fishing waters and a mechanism to prevent distortion of trading through undercutting standards. However, Downing Street is standing its ground, insisting Brussels to change its stance in the debate over fishing rights and state aid in a bid to deal the deal. At the same time, Brussels has also informed that the progress is going slowly to reach a deal before the year end when the transition period will come to an end. It will also slow down the ratification process of a potential agreement and can lead to extending the negotiations to December. 

It is also likely that all member states not be able scrutinise the 600-page document or even translate the treaty into all 24 official languages of the bloc. France has called for a discussion on legal aspects of the deal to approve the document.

Due to these concerns, EU officials are reportedly working on emergency steps to approve a Brexit trade deal that will be acceptable to both sides. Meanwhile, chief negotiators Michel Barnier and Lord Frost are expected to carry on with the negotiations in the coming days in a bid to draw a conclusive agreement. 

Bhairav Journalist

Recent Posts

Can Ukraine Join NATO? Zelenskiy Pushes for Global Stability Through Alliance

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that membership of Ukraine in NATO is "achievable" goal but this will require persistent effort… Read More

December 22, 2024

UAE-Funded Orphanage Opens in Ethiopia, Transforming Lives in Oromia

Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art orphanage in Oromia. This orphanage is built with the support… Read More

December 21, 2024

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Drone Strikes Cause Disruptions in Kazan, No Casualties

The airport in the Russian city of Kazan reopened on Saturday. This airport reopened on Saturday after a temporary closure… Read More

December 21, 2024

George Eastham, England’s 1966 World Cup Winner, Passes Away at 88

England's 1966 World Cup Winner, George Eastham has passed on aged 88 years. Blackpool-born forward, who played 19 times for… Read More

December 21, 2024

What Barack Obama Loved in 2024: Books, Movies, and Songs to Explore

As we are at the end of December 2024 and ready to start a new year 2025, this time the… Read More

December 21, 2024

Curry’s Tough Game and Another 140+ Point Loss

Stephen Curry had no clear explanation for his rough performance in the Golden State Warriors' 144-93 loss to the Memphis… Read More

December 20, 2024

This website uses cookies.

Read More