Outline of deal with EU visible: UK Brexit negotiator

LONDON: David Frost, the UK's chief Brexit negotiator, has said that an "outline" of a deal with the European Union (EU) was visible, but "differences remain" even after six months of trade discussions between the two sides.

Frost made the remarks on Friday night after the completion of the ninth round of discussions between the two sides, saying they "were constructive discussions conducted in a good spirit" about "our future relationship", the Daily Express newspaper reported.

"In many areas of our talks, although differences remain, the outlines of an agreement are visible. This is true of most of the core areas of a trade and economic agreement – notably trade in goods and services, transport, energy, social security, and participation in EU programmes. This has however been true for some time.

"I am also encouraged that progress has been possible on a law enforcement agreement and that there has been convergence on the structure of the overall partnership," he was quoted as saying.

According to the newspaper report, although progress has been made in a number of areas, talks were still blocked on some contentious issues, including state aid and fisheries.

Frost further said: "On the level playing field, including subsidy policy, we continue to seek an agreement that ensures our ability to set our own laws in the UK without constraints that go beyond those appropriate to a free trade agreement.

"There has been some limited progress here but the EU need to move further before an understanding can be reached. (IANS)

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