EU negotiator says big differences remain over Brexit
BRUSSELS — The European Union’s Brexit negotiator said Friday that major differences remain over whether Britain should be obliged to respect all EU rules and obligations during the transition period aimed at easing the country out of the bloc next year.
Speaking to reporters at the end of a week of technical talks, Michel Barnier also said that Britain has still not outlined its vision of future EU-U.K. relations at virtually the half-way mark of the Brexit negotiations.
Britain officially departs the EU on March 29 next year — the first member ever to leave — but the extraordinarily complex negotiations must be concluded this fall to allow time for parliaments to ratify any deal. This week the sides discussed the nature of a transition period lasting until the end of 2020 which would help provide certainty for markets and businesses nervous about the future.
“Our interlocutors shared with us a number of points of disagreement that I consider to be substantial,” Barnier said. “The transition is not yet sealed.”