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EU chief negotiator gives 'very gloomy, downbeat' assessment of chances of Brexit deal

European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier walks to the Conference Centre in London, Thursday, December 3, 2020. AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth 
European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier walks to the Conference Centre in London, Thursday, December 3, 2020. AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth  European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier walks to the Conference Centre in London, Thursday, December 3, 2020. AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth 

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has given a “very gloomy, downbeat” assessment of the prospects for a deal to EU ambassadors this morning, according to the Republic of Ireland’s foreign minister Simon Coveney.

Mr Coveney told RTÉ News: "He is very cautious about the ability to make progress today.

"There really was no progress made yesterday, so we've got to try to make a breakthrough at some point today."

 Michel Barnier is reported to have rejected rumours from Sunday night that a deal had emerged on fishing, which has dogged negotiations since the beginning.

He is said to have warned that the two sides were also still apart on the questions of governance, and of fair competition for British companies in the EU.

Mr Coveney said he is "more optimistic" about progress in the EU UK Joint Committee over implementing the Northern Ireland Protocol.

“There is more cause to be optimistic and positive in the context of the Joint Committee and its work in terms of implementing the Withdrawal Agreement and the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland."

“Maros Sefcovic and Michael Gove have made really practical progress on many of the outstanding issues that were not resolved up until a few weeks ago."

“So, I think they are making progress there and my view certainly is, if we could make progress on the broader trade agreement and the future relationship agreement, I think the outstanding issues linked to the Protocol certainly could be resolved.”

European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic said he would be meeting with Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove to discuss the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement.

He tweeted: “I will meet @michaelgove today in Brussels to discuss the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.

“We are working hard to make sure it is fully operational as of 1 January 2021.”

A spokesman for Mr Gove said: “The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will meet Vice President Sefcovic today in Brussels to discuss issues related to their work as co-chairs of the Withdrawal Agreement joint committee.

“The Withdrawal Agreement joint committee oversees UK and EU implementation, application and interpretation of the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Northern Ireland Protocol.

“The work of the joint committee is separate from the ongoing FTA negotiations.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it would be a “significant failure” if no Brexit deal was agreed.

He said: “Overall, I think it is in the best interests of all concerned that a proper trade deal is agreed.

“Our respective economies would suffer, unnecessarily in my view, in the event of a no-deal.

“A deal can be arrived at. It would be a significant failure if we were to end up with no deal.”

He told media in Co Cork just days remained to clinch an accord as they move towards the end of the year.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a joint weekend statement that "significant differences remain on three critical issues" in agreeing a deal, namely, a "level playing field, governance and fisheries".

Talks between the UK's chief negotiator David Frost and his EU counterpart Michel Barnier resumed last night. 

Micheál Martin said he was not “overly optimistic” about a breakthrough in the Brexit talks, saying he is “50-50” on a deal being reached.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen are scheduled to discuss post-Brexit trade negotiations at 4pm UK-time.

In Brussels, commission spokesman Eric Mamer tweeted: “Update to President @vonderleyen agenda for this afternoon: Phone call at 5pm with UK Prime Minister @BorisJohnson on EUGB talks.”

Foreign Office minister James Cleverly insisted the UK does “hold all the cards” in trade negotiations with the EU and called on the bloc to make “small but significant concessions”.

He told BBC Breakfast: “Outside the EU we can actually sign trade agreements more quickly with more countries than previously, so we do indeed hold all the cards.

“I think if the EU recognise this they will see that actually making a few small but significant concessions can get this deal done and that will be in their interest and in our interest.”

He declined to confirm whether a breakthrough had been made on fishing policy or not.

If there is no deal by the end of the Brexit transition period at the end of the month, then the UK will leave the Single Market and the Customs Union and begin trading with the EU on World Trade Organization terms, with the imposition of tariffs and quotas.