Advertisement

Updated May 17th, 2020 at 18:48 IST

UK minister says trade deal with EU is set to be done but would require compromise

UK’s Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said that a trade deal was set to be done with the European Union; however, it would require compromise from the bloc.

Reported by: Riya Baibhawi
UK: Trade deal with EU is set be done but would require compromise: Minister
| Image:self
Advertisement

UK’s Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove on May 17 said that a trade deal was set to be done with the European Union; however, it would require compromise from the bloc. On May 15, both sides called for each other to give ground in post Brexit negations. Brexit was “done” on January 31 even though the UK is still in an 11-month transition period with the 27-nation-bloc.

Speaking to international media, Gover said that issues such as fisheries and so-called “level playing field” rules to ensure fair competition remained sticking points. He further said that they were making it clear to the EU that the UK doesn’t deal with the previously proposed terms. He added that however, he was confident that there was a “deal to be done”. Calling on EU again he said that it required a “flexibility” on the side of the bloc which he was sure “they'll appreciate that they need to show". 

'Very little progress' 

On May 15, Britain remarked that the two parties have made “very little progress” towards a post-Brexit deal. David Frost, an adviser to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said in a statement that the major obstacle to the deal is the European Union’s insistence on including a set of “novel and unbalanced proposed on the so-called level-playing field”. Frost criticised the 27-member bloc for demanding access to UK fishing waters saying it is incompatible with Britain’s future status as an independent coastal state. He said that the UK is fully committed to agreeing to the fishing provisions in line with the Political Declaration but can not agree on a deal that is “unbalanced” and against the interests of the UK fishing industry.

Read: UK To Start Post-Brexit Negotiations With European Union In Brussels

Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: European Union In Brussels Reports Its First Case

“It is hard to understand why the EU insists on an ideological approach which makes it more difficult to reach a mutually beneficial agreement,” said the UK’s chief negotiator. Frost asserted that the UK needs a change in the EU’s approach before the next round of negotiations beginning next month. He said that the UK intends to release all the draft legal texts during next week to facilitate the upcoming discussion and let the member states of the EU and interested observers to see Britain’s approach in detail. 

Read: UK Laments ‘very Little Progress’ Towards Post-Brexit Deal After Latest Round Of Talks

Read: UK, US Kick Off Post-Brexit Free Trade Talks Amid Outbreak

Advertisement

Published May 17th, 2020 at 18:48 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

Kerala Lottery Karunya Plus KN-515 Result Today
a few seconds ago
OpenAI
4 minutes ago
Naveen Polishetty
5 minutes ago
LCA Tejas IAF
6 minutes ago
Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya
9 minutes ago
Good Friday
22 minutes ago
Bigbasket said it has altered its slotted delivery service to deliver within two hours against the earlier option of same day or next day delivery.
23 minutes ago
Bollywood actor Govinda
23 minutes ago
Nandre Burger
27 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo