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Brexit trade talks timeline ‘virtually impossible’ – Dublin | Brexit trade talks timeline ‘virtually impossible’ – Dublin |
(32 minutes later) | |
The coronavirus pandemic has made a timeline for a British-EU trade deal “virtually impossible,” Ireland’s foreign minister Simon Coveney said on Friday. “Given the complexity of what we’re trying to deal with here, and the added complications…as a result of Covid-19, it surely makes sense for us to seek a bit more time,” Coveney told an online conference. | |
“I wouldn’t be raising expectations to the British government agreeing to seek more time… Covid-19 has made what is already a very, very difficult timeline [by which] to get agreement virtually impossible,” the minister said. | |
The EU says only a relatively modest free-trade agreement is possible before the end of the year, but it attaches conditions to it – including rigid guarantees of fair competition – that have been rejected by Britain, Reuters said. Coveney added that the two rounds of talks to date have “really gotten nowhere” because of the differences. | |
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ruled out seeking an extension to the transition period beyond December 31. Until then, Britain remains part of the EU’s single market and customs union. |
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