Lord , UK Chief Negotiator,
said:
“We have just completed the ninth Round of our negotiations with
the EU about our future relationship.
“These were constructive discussions conducted in a good spirit.
“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.
“In other areas familiar differences remain. 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. On
fisheries the gap between us is unfortunately very large and,
without further realism and flexibility from the EU, risks being
impossible to bridge. These issues are fundamental to our future
status as an independent country.
“I am concerned that there is very little time now to resolve
these issues ahead of the European Council on 15 October.
“For our part, we continue to be fully committed to working hard
to find solutions, if they are there to be found.”
