Sky News: EU ‘thinks Brexit deal 95% agreed’
Confidential notes are seen by Sky News reveal European Union officials think a Brexit deal is 95% agreed – but show the extent of anxiety over the potential impact if negotiations break down.
The notes came from a meeting of the most senior diplomats in Brussels on Friday morning when they were briefed about the state of talks by the European Commission’s Secretary-General Ilze Juhansone.
She was standing in for the EU’s chief negotiator, who went into self-isolation on Thursday.
Ms. Juhansone told the meeting the legal text of a trade deal was now “finalized” in almost all areas, “covering almost all subjects.”
However, she cautioned that problems still remained in three well-established areas – fisheries, governance, and competition rules, often referred to as the level playing field.
“On these matters, the UK has not made significant moves,” she told the meeting, adding there “will be no economic partnership” without an agreement in these areas.
The notes state the UK is still insisting on annual negotiations around fishing quotes and access to British waters.
However, negotiators have been debating a compromise on fishing that would see a future review, and possible amendment, to any Brexit deal.
Other areas of disagreement include the UK’s provision of healthcare to EU workers, family allowance, financial services, freight access, and intellectual property.