The UK’s top negotiator returned to the discussions, saying that progress has been made in the post-Brexit trade deal in recent days.
Following this the British and Irish ministers said yesterday (Sunday) that, a breakthrough in the post-Brexit trade agreement is required this week.
Britain’s transition period from the European Union ends on December 31. After that, trade worth around $1 trillion would be disrupted through tariffs and strict rules without an agreement being made.
If this happens, it will trigger a new economic crisis for the Britain and the EU, which are still struggling to recover from the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney said: “We have got to make big progress this week. This is very difficult but it is also very doable.”
The negotiations have already missed several deadlines and remain stuck on issues such as fishing quotas, state aid rules and how to settle future disputes.
Britain’s top Brexit negotiator, David Frost said there has been some progress in a positive direction in recent days. “We also now largely have common draft treaty texts, though significant elements are of course not yet agreed,” Mr. Frost said.
“We will work to build on these and get an overall agreement if we can. But we may not succeed,” he added.
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, Coveney said London had to back down from its attempt to pass trade legislation between British-ruled Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.
However, the Irish foreign minister said that “there’s no way the EU will agree to ratify a new agreement if the British government is breaking the existing agreement that’s not even 12 months old and breaking international law by doing that.”