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EU diplomatic sources have warned Boris Johnson to call the bloc’s leaders in the capitals if he is serious about savlaging the trade negotiations. They accuse the PM of being “absent” and “detached” from Brexit.
Thread through the medium of The Fall 1/ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/10/06/pick-phone-boris-absent-pm-urged-call-eu-leaders-salvage-brexit/
Thread through the medium of The Fall 1/ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/10/06/pick-phone-boris-absent-pm-urged-call-eu-leaders-salvage-brexit/
"Is he even interested? What does it say to 27 leaders when an issue as important as this is only dealt with by David Frost [chief negotiator]?,”said a senior EU diplomat.
“It’s about time people higher up in the hierarchy start involving themselves.”
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“It’s about time people higher up in the hierarchy start involving themselves.”
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UK sources say it is up to the EU to communicate the UK’s positions to the EU as per the EU rule that Barnier is sole point of contact for the bloc. But senior diplomat says May was always on the phone to other leaders without undermining MB.
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. @BorisJohnson had “nothing of substance” to say to EC president @vonderleyen , EU diplomatic sources claim. Familiar areas of LPF, fishing, governance continue to bedevil talks.
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Nerves are fraying. Talks could stretch to November, even December, no matter all the talk of Oct deadlines or so suggest some senior sources…
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At least one Member state at least is already wargaming how post no deal Brexit trade negotiations could work out.
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Senior EU diplomat is clear that fishing is the easiest of 3 to solve & LPF and governance far more important. Claims UK won’t get into detail of managing approx 100 fish stocks. Frost says fishing could be the dealbreaker.
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EU diplomats hope UK request for tunnel talks means BJ preparing to make concessions to get deal. Tunnel talks would run over all 11 work streams & should bring a deal if the three outstanding issues were resolved. No breakthrough on those = no tunnel
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There’s nine days to go to the October 15 Eu summit, BJ’s deadline for the shape of the deal to be agreed. Unless there is “significant movement” , the two sides are stuck. Brussels isn’t looking to offer Boris an easy way out..
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Full story w/more inc EC plans for no deal Brexit legislation here. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/10/06/pick-phone-boris-absent-pm-urged-call-eu-leaders-salvage-brexit/
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That it - until new facts emerge. ENDS
