A couple of notable points from the agreed choreography for the final phase:

The two sides have now agreed to work on the basis of legal texts. This is the single most important development in mths. It's only by going through the texts line-by-line (1/n)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/organising-principles-for-further-negotiations/organising-principles-for-further-negotiations-with-the-eu https://twitter.com/DavidGHFrost/status/1318946907213959170

that joint positions can be agreed; outstanding issues ironed out; & "consolidated" texts developed. But it's a measure of how little trust there's in the negs that, after 7.5 mths of talks, this is the first time that negotiations are allowed to work on the texts together. (2/n)

I know that the lack of progress on legal text has been a major source of frustration for the teams on both sides. Without a question, this development will therefore unlock some constructive discussions and technical progress. There's an important caveat here, however. (3/n)

The principles don't say that the two sides *aim* for the consolidated text. They simply state, in point (2) that negotiators will work "on the basis of each side’s legal texts *while* a common approach is found". This is v nuanced, but important drafting. (4/n)

Neither side wants to set the expectation that a mutually agreed *treaty text* can come out of this process. There're no firm commitment here, even though we're entering the final phase. Instead, the objective is to identify "areas of convergence" = minimal commitment. (5/n)

Moreover, in those areas where the joint text can be hammered out, there're arrangements for a "joint secretariat" to hold the pen on the final agreed text (point (5)). Having been involved in the earlier phase of the negs, this is unlike anything we ever did before. (6/n)

Usually, though not always, there was a reasonably collaborative atmosphere between the technical leads. That the UK and EU now need the joint secretariat shows how far the trust has fallen in recent weeks. Frost and Barnier, and their teams, don't seem to trust each other. (7/n)

There's also acknowledgement of "the outstanding more political issues" (point 5) which, the statement says, will be for the chief/deputy chief negotiators to resolve. They will meet every day. This is good news. (8/n)

Remember that neither Frost nor Barnier actually can resolve the big political questions - LPF, governance and fish. Yes, they can exhaust the room for maneuvers. But, ultimately, Frost has to go to the PM and XS Cttee for concessions; Barnier to the Council and MSs. (9/n)

Sorry to thwart the excitement out there, but I don't think this is yet the "endgame" of the negs. Yes, it's important dvpt for the technical talks to progress - and a critical step to getting large chunks of the treaty agreed in the coming weeks. (10/n)

The "endgame" will begin only when the politicians get involved on the sensitive issues of LPF, fish, & governance. This isn't just yet. Until then, there's a ton of technical work and next to no time. Best of luck to the negotiators on both sides - they'll need it! (End)