By Elishya Perera
LONDON (CWBN)_With the deadline for agreement on a Brexit deal set for 15th October, Britain will explore every avenue for a trade deal. Prime Minister Boris Johnson told French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, “Progress must be made in the coming days to bridge the significant gaps, notably in the areas of fisheries and the level playing field, through the process of intensive talks between Chief Negotiators”. Johnson further noted that Britain wants a deal, but not at any price. Observing that a deal was better for both sides, he said that if an agreement could not be found, the UK was also prepared to end the transition period on Australia-style terms, meaning, no deal.
Meanwhile, EU Leaders including Macron will call on EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier for tough enforcement rules, if a deal is agreed. The leaders hope to use a summit starting Thursday, to lobby for Brussels’ right to take action, if Britain violates any of its commitments. They claim that Britain cannot be trusted, following Johnson’s move to override the Brexit treaty. On the other hand, France is threatening to impose a no- deal Brexit over fishing rights. “Fishermen would rather have no agreement than a bad agreement,” said the French fishing minister. France and other fishing nations are hoping to secure consistent rights of fish in British waters, while Britain desires a deal like the one with Norway, under which quotas are set each year.
Edited by Indeewara Thilakarathne
