The EU’s chief negotiator on Brexit has said Britain’s new approach has helped unblock talks, but warned that Brussels could still be weeks or even months from agreeing to start crucial discussions on transition.
Both Michel Barnier, and David Davis, his UK counterpart, hailed progress in the latest round of negotiations in the wake of British prime minister Theresa May’s attempt to unblock the stalled talks.
But while Mr Davis spoke of a “decisive” advance after a keynote speech by Mrs May in Florence last week, Mr Barnier struck a more tone. He warned that obstacles remained before talks can begin on Mrs May’s new goal of a transition deal that could maintain much of the status quo for a further two years after Britain leaves the bloc in 2019.