Maas and Barnier on Brexit talks amid lockdown

Despite the devastating economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, Britain is making scant effort to negotiate a far-reaching free trade deal in the wake of Brexit that would stave off a costly final separation at the end of the year, the European Union said Friday.

EU negotiator Michel Barnier said his British counterparts keep insisting on unrealistic deadlines and demands that could only lead to a chaotic trade rupture which would mean economic losses on both sides.

Barnier said the UK simply cannot refuse an extension of the transition period as on many essential issues such as the fishing industry an agreement hasn't yet been achieved.

Britain officially left the 27-nation bloc on January 31, but remains within the EU's economic orbit, including its single market for trade in goods and services, until the end of 2020.

The two sides have until then to work out a new relationship covering trade, security and a host of other issues.

But both sides have been hardly-hit by the coronavirus pandemic as both Barnier and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson contracted COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas pointed out on Friday morning that the upcoming Brexit negotiations between Great Britain and the EU would "not become easier" under the influence of the coronavirus crisis.

As things stand at present, the negotiations will be concluded in the second half of the year, when Germany will hold the EU Presidency.

Maas said that they will do everything possible to make sure that the negotiations will lead to a good result on both sides.