Finally a “deal”? Several European sources indicated on Wednesday that negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union should lead to an agreement in “the next few hours”.
A Wednesday night deal?
A post-Brexit trade deal seemed imminent on Wednesday between the UK and the European Union. There is a “great chance” that this agreement will be reached in the evening, assured one of these sources. A scenario confirmed by another source: “we are in the final phase”.
Eight days before the final rupture, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen have been stepping up discussions since Monday to unblock mired talks at the political level.
Fishing, the ultimate sticking point
The access of European fishermen to British waters remains the ultimate sticking point in the discussions, which are moreover almost complete, including on previously problematic subjects, such as how to settle disputes and measures to protect against any unfair competition. .
London and Brussels are still hoping to reach a deal on Wednesday or Thursday, which in theory would leave enough time for it to come into effect on January 1, when the UK, which officially left the EU on January 31, will have abandoned the single market for good.
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