The European Union (EU) and Britain’s post-reflex talks were suspended on Thursday because one of the members of the EU delegation was found to be infected with the new coronavirus.
Michel Barnier, head of the EU negotiating delegation, and David Frost, head of the British negotiating delegation, said the talks had been suspended following the diagnosis.
Barnier’s Twitter revealed that one of his team members was infected with Covid-19.
He said he had agreed with Frost to suspend the talks for a short time, but the teams would continue to work.
Frost pointed out that the health of the team members was paramount and thanked the European Commission for its support and assistance.
Neither Frost nor Barnier revealed whether they had a positive Covid-19 test.
The transition period after Britain’s withdrawal from the EU ends on 31 December, and there is very little time left to reach an agreement on the future of both sides, as it still needs to be ratified by both parties.
An EU official said on Monday that this could be the last chance to reach an agreement.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the British prime minister said on Thursday that Britain was negotiating a free trade agreement with Canada.
If an agreement with Canada is concluded before the end of the transitional period, it could replace the agreement with the EU.
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