This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-talks-second-round-eu-uk-fails-to-produce-breakthrough-citizens-rights-chief-negotiator-a7850736.html
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Brexit: Second round of talks fails to produce breakthrough on key disputes, says EU’s chief negotiator | Brexit: Second round of talks fails to produce breakthrough on key disputes, says EU’s chief negotiator |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The second round of the Brexit talks have failed to produce a breakthrough on key disputes with the UK, the EU’s chief negotiator has said. | The second round of the Brexit talks have failed to produce a breakthrough on key disputes with the UK, the EU’s chief negotiator has said. |
| Michel Barnier said the British Government was still failing to provide sufficient “convergence” on either the UK’s exit bill or the future rights of citizens. | Michel Barnier said the British Government was still failing to provide sufficient “convergence” on either the UK’s exit bill or the future rights of citizens. |
| Mr Barnier said the EU would not give way on its insistence that the rights of citizens should be guaranteed by the European Court of Justice – an apparent red line for the UK. | Mr Barnier said the EU would not give way on its insistence that the rights of citizens should be guaranteed by the European Court of Justice – an apparent red line for the UK. |
| Warning there was a “fundamental divergence”, he told a Brussels press conference: “Citizens must be able to identify the legal certainty that they need for their day-to-day lives.” | Warning there was a “fundamental divergence”, he told a Brussels press conference: “Citizens must be able to identify the legal certainty that they need for their day-to-day lives.” |
| The talks would not move onto future trade – Britain’s priority – until the UK had provided the “clarification needed” on both citizens and the so-called “divorce bill”, he made clear. | The talks would not move onto future trade – Britain’s priority – until the UK had provided the “clarification needed” on both citizens and the so-called “divorce bill”, he made clear. |
| Mr Barnier also said the UK must clarify, in the next session, how it intends to maintain the Common Travel Area with the Republic of Ireland after leaving the EU. | Mr Barnier also said the UK must clarify, in the next session, how it intends to maintain the Common Travel Area with the Republic of Ireland after leaving the EU. |
| Laying bare his frustration that the UK was not accepting its “accounts must be settled,” he added: “As soon as the UK is ready to clarify the nature of its commitments, we will be prepared to discuss this with the British negotiators.” | Laying bare his frustration that the UK was not accepting its “accounts must be settled,” he added: “As soon as the UK is ready to clarify the nature of its commitments, we will be prepared to discuss this with the British negotiators.” |
| And, making clear the EU would not give way in the negotiations until the UK accepted its financial obligations, he said: “I know one has to compromise in negotiations but we are not there yet. | And, making clear the EU would not give way in the negotiations until the UK accepted its financial obligations, he said: “I know one has to compromise in negotiations but we are not there yet. |
| “That's the financial settlement, let's be very clear. We want clarity on that because we need to be able work more until we come to areas of compromise.” | “That's the financial settlement, let's be very clear. We want clarity on that because we need to be able work more until we come to areas of compromise.” |
| Alongside him, David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, sent out a conciliatory message on the exit bill, insisting both the UK and EU “recognise the importance of sorting out responsibilities we have to each other”. | Alongside him, David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, sent out a conciliatory message on the exit bill, insisting both the UK and EU “recognise the importance of sorting out responsibilities we have to each other”. |
| And he denied there was any dispute in the Cabinet over whether crashing out of the EU with no deal in 2019 would be a disaster for Britain. | And he denied there was any dispute in the Cabinet over whether crashing out of the EU with no deal in 2019 would be a disaster for Britain. |
| Today, Trade Secretary Liam Fox argued Britain could “survive” outside the EU with no deal – but Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, has warned it would be a “very, very bad outcome”. | Today, Trade Secretary Liam Fox argued Britain could “survive” outside the EU with no deal – but Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, has warned it would be a “very, very bad outcome”. |
| “He is not saying anything different from what the Chancellor said,” Mr Davis said, of Dr Fox’s comments – arguing the Chancellor had also warned a “punishment deal” would be worse. | “He is not saying anything different from what the Chancellor said,” Mr Davis said, of Dr Fox’s comments – arguing the Chancellor had also warned a “punishment deal” would be worse. |
| “Nobody expects a punishment deal – Michel and I are both going for a good deal,” Mr Davis said. | “Nobody expects a punishment deal – Michel and I are both going for a good deal,” Mr Davis said. |
| On the talks, Mr Davis struck a more optimistic tone, saying: “Overall I'm encouraged by the progress we have made on understanding each other's positions.” | On the talks, Mr Davis struck a more optimistic tone, saying: “Overall I'm encouraged by the progress we have made on understanding each other's positions.” |
| He insisted the UK had made a “fair and serious offer” on citizens' rights and there were “many concrete areas where we agree, as well as areas where there will be further discussion”. | He insisted the UK had made a “fair and serious offer” on citizens' rights and there were “many concrete areas where we agree, as well as areas where there will be further discussion”. |
| “We have had robust but constructive talks this week. Clearly there's a lot left to talk about and further work before we can resolve this,” Mr Davis said. | “We have had robust but constructive talks this week. Clearly there's a lot left to talk about and further work before we can resolve this,” Mr Davis said. |
| “Ultimately getting to a solution will require flexibility from both sides.” | “Ultimately getting to a solution will require flexibility from both sides.” |
| Keir Starmer, Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary, said: “The lack of progress in these negotiations is deeply concerning and does not bode well for the future.” | Keir Starmer, Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary, said: “The lack of progress in these negotiations is deeply concerning and does not bode well for the future.” |
| Warning the talks might not move onto trade in October, as hoped, he added: “That will trigger deep concern for businesses and communities across the U.K, who need much greater certainty and reassurance than they are getting from this Government.” | Warning the talks might not move onto trade in October, as hoped, he added: “That will trigger deep concern for businesses and communities across the U.K, who need much greater certainty and reassurance than they are getting from this Government.” |
| And the Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman, Tom Brake, said: “It's now been 113 days since Article 50 was triggered and we have seen almost zero progress on even the most basic issues. | |
| “With each day that passes, the likelihood of a catastrophic, disorderly Brexit increases.” |