Barnier: No major progress made in Brexit talks

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The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said Thursday that no major progress was made in Brexit negotiations after the fifth round of talks ended in Brussels.

"This week we have worked in a constructive spirit, we have clarified some points, but we have not taken great steps forward," Barnier told a news conference at the EU headquarters.

This was the final session of negotiations before a crucial EU summit slated for next week, where 27 EU leaders are expected to discuss whether there has been substantial progress to warrant discussion to move onto the next phase and begin talks about trade and future relations.

EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier (R) and Britain's Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis hold a joint news conference after the latest round of talks in Brussels, Belgium, October 12, 2017. /Reuters Photo

'Disturbing deadlock'

Britain and the EU are stuck in a "disturbing" deadlock over the Brexit divorce bill, although a breakthrough remains possible in the next two months, Barnier said.

The stalemate will stoke fears swirling in London and Brussels of a breakdown in talks that could see Britain leaving the European Union in March 2019 without an agreement to soften the blow.

Wrapping up a fifth round of talks with Britain's David Davis, Barnier said he could not recommend to EU leaders at a summit next week that negotiations move on from divorce issues to talks on a post-Brexit trade deal.

The Frenchman reserved his most cutting comments for the issue of financial commitments, saying Britain had still not spelled out what Prime Minister Theresa May promised in a key speech in Florence, Italy, last month. "We are at a deadlock on this question which is extremely disturbing," he said.

May said Britain would ensure that the other 27 countries do not lose out financially from Brexit in the current EU budget period to 2020 and would honor commitments, but Barnier said London was failing to spell out just what it was ready to pay.

Progress still 'within reach'

Nonetheless, Barnier said there was some movement on other elements of Britain's divorce settlement and he spoke of possibly acceding in the next two months to British demands for talks on a trade pact and a transition period after withdrawal in March 2019 – if the political will was there.

Britain's Prime Minster Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, October 11, 2017. /Reuters Photo

"I am still convinced that, with political will, decisive progress is within reach in the coming two months. With David Davis, we will organize several negotiating meetings between now and the end of the year," said the chief Brexit negotiator for the EU.

Brexit Secretary Davis said Britain was still pushing for EU leaders to give a green light to those talks on the future relationship when they meet May at an EU summit in Brussels next Thursday.

Davis recognized that much work was to be done, but said he was confident an agreement on citizens' rights could come soon, notably regarding how those rights would be guaranteed in courts.

EU President Donald Tusk warned on Tuesday that the bloc may rethink whether a Brexit deal is possible if there is no progress by the end of the year.

Source(s): AFP ,Reuters