Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier will not leave for London on Monday to start a new round of negotiations with the British, the British government announced on Friday evening.
According to the British, it is of little use for Barnier and his team to travel to London on Monday. Only if the EU takes a fundamentally different approach would the British be ready to continue the talks.
On Friday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called on British business to start preparations for a no-deal Brexit. With this, the British leader probably wants to sharpen the negotiations and encourage the EU to make concessions.
Following Johnson’s press conference, it was announced that Barnier would travel to London on Monday to hold new talks with fellow negotiator David Frost. However, the British got back to that later that day.
Instead, Barnier and Frost will have a phone call shortly to discuss the structure of the negotiations.
The Brexit transition period ends on December 31, 2020. If the parties do not agree before that date, a no-deal Brexit will take place.
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