Britain 'formally confirms' to EU that it won't extend post-Brexit transition period

British government formally told European Union that it would t seek an extension to post-Brexit transition period beyond December 31, 2020. British MP and Conservative leer Michael Gove chaired furr talks with EU leers on June 12 and told 27-member bloc that time for an extension has passed.

On June 5, Britain and EU finished fourth round of negotiations without any major breakthrough. EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier said in a statement that UK is “backtracking” from its commitments me before post-Brexit talks started in March. Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Barnier has said that “ substantial progress” has been me in roundtable talks.

'Progress remains limited'

David Frost, an EU viser to British PM, issued a separate statement saying fourth round of negotiations was a little shorter than usual and more restricted in scope. He claimed that talks have been positive in tone but ded that progress remains limited. Last month, he h said that major obstacle to deal is European Union’s insistence on including a set of “vel and unbalanced proposed on so-called level playing field”.

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Frost criticised 27-member bloc for demanding access to UK fishing waters saying it is incompatible with Britain’s future status as an independent coastal state. He said that UK is fully committed to agreeing to fishing provisions in line with Political Declaration but can t agree on a deal that is “unbalanced” and against interests of UK fishing industry.

“It is hard to understand why EU insists on an ideological approach which makes it more difficult to reach a mutually beneficial agreement,” ded UK’s chief negotiator.

Frost asserted that UK needs a change in EU’s approach before next round of negotiations beginning next month. He said that UK intends to release all draft legal texts during next week to facilitate upcoming discussion and let member states of EU and interested observers to see Britain’s approach in detail. 

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