EU and U.K. negotiators have yet to find a way to overcome “significant divergences" in their attempt to seal a post-Brexit compromise, a spokesman for the European Union's executive arm said on Thursday.
Following Britain's departure from the EU's political institutions on Jan. 31, the two sides are trying to secure a new trade deal before the end of the year, when Britain will effectively exit the EU’s tariff-free economic zone.
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EU and U.K. negotiators have yet to find a way to overcome “significant divergences" in their attempt to seal a post-Brexit compromise, a spokesman for the European Union's executive arm said on Thursday.
Following discussions in London between members of both negotiating teams, European Commission spokesman Daniel Ferrie said meetings will continue next week in Brussels before a full round of negotiations in the British capital in the week of July 20.
Farmers from the group Save British Farming drive tractors around Parliament Square, backdropped by the Houses of Parliament and the scaffolded Big Ben tower in London, in a protest against cheaply produced lower standard food being imported from the U.S. after Brexit that will undercut them, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoMatt Dunham)
Farmers from the group Save British Farming drive tractors around Parliament Square, backdropped by the Houses of Parliament, at right, and the scaffolded Big Ben tower in London, in a protest against cheaply produced lower standard food being imported from the U.S. after Brexit that will undercut them, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoMatt Dunham)
Farmers from the group Save British Farming drive tractors across Westminster Bridge, in London, in a protest against cheaply produced lower standard food being imported from the U.S. after Brexit that will undercut them, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoMatt Dunham)
But negotiations have proved difficult. The parties appear far apart on a number of issues including regulations for businesses and the fishing industry, with the U.K. adamantly opposed to EU demands for long-term access to British waters.
Farmers from the group Save British Farming drive tractors around Parliament Square, backdropped by the Houses of Parliament and the scaffolded Big Ben tower in London, in a protest against cheaply produced lower standard food being imported from the U.S. after Brexit that will undercut them, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoMatt Dunham)
Following discussions in London between members of both negotiating teams, European Commission spokesman Daniel Ferrie said meetings will continue next week in Brussels before a full round of negotiations in the British capital in the week of July 20.
“The EU is engaging constructively and in good faith, as Michel Barnier pointed out earlier this week," Ferrie said, referring to the EU chief negotiator. “We are working hard to overcome the significant divergences that remain between us."
Follow AP’s full coverage of British politics and Brexit trade negotiations at https://apnews.com/Brexit
Farmers from the group Save British Farming drive tractors around Parliament Square, in London, in a protest against cheaply produced lower standard food being imported from the U.S. after Brexit that will undercut them, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoMatt Dunham)
Farmers from the group Save British Farming drive tractors around Parliament Square, backdropped by the Houses of Parliament and the scaffolded Big Ben tower in London, in a protest against cheaply produced lower standard food being imported from the U.S. after Brexit that will undercut them, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoMatt Dunham)
Farmers from the group Save British Farming drive tractors around Parliament Square, backdropped by the Houses of Parliament, at right, and the scaffolded Big Ben tower in London, in a protest against cheaply produced lower standard food being imported from the U.S. after Brexit that will undercut them, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoMatt Dunham)
Farmers from the group Save British Farming drive tractors across Westminster Bridge, in London, in a protest against cheaply produced lower standard food being imported from the U.S. after Brexit that will undercut them, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. (AP PhotoMatt Dunham)
MADRID (AP) — British and Spanish foreign ministers said a new round of talks held Friday over the status of the disputed territory of Gibraltar following Britain’s exit from the European Union were productive and significant progress was made.
The meeting was between Spain's José Manuel Albares, Britain’s David Cameron and European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic in Brussels. Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo also attended. It was the first time representatives from the four areas had come together for talks on the issue.
In a statement after the meeting, the parties said "discussions took place in a constructive atmosphere, with significant progress achieved.
“General political lines have been agreed (on), including on airport, goods and mobility. Negotiations will continue over the coming weeks to conclude the EU-UK Agreement,” it added.
All sides are eager to clinch a deal before European elections in June.
Britain left the European Union in 2020 with the relationship between Gibraltar and the bloc unresolved. Talks on a deal to ensure people and goods can keep flowing over the Gibraltar-Spain border have made halting progress in the 19 rounds of negotiations so far, but both Spanish and U.K. officials have recently expressed optimism about a deal.
In Britain’s 2016 Brexit referendum, 96% of voters in Gibraltar supported remaining in the EU. The tiny territory on Spain's southern tip depends greatly on access to the EU market for its 34,000 inhabitants.
Gibraltar was ceded to Britain in 1713, but Spain has maintained its sovereignty claim ever since. Relations concerning the Rock, as it is popularly referred to in English, have had their ups and downs over the centuries.
A major sticking point has been who controls Gibraltar’s airport, which under the proposed free-movement deal would be an external border of the EU. The U.K. and Gibraltar have resisted Spain’s insistence that Spanish border officials be based at the airport, which is also home to a Royal Air Force base.
The British Foreign Office said Thursday that while it did not expect a final agreement Friday, "getting senior political figures from the UK, European Commission, Spain and Gibraltar in one room is significant.”
Associated Press writer Jill Lawless reported from London.
Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo speaks with the media outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Friday, April 12, 2024. British and Spanish foreign ministers are scheduled to meet Friday with a top European Commission official for another round of negotiations over the status of the disputed territory of Gibraltar following Britain's exit from the European Union. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo stands outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Friday, April 12, 2024. British and Spanish foreign ministers are scheduled to meet Friday with a top European Commission official for another round of negotiations over the status of the disputed territory of Gibraltar following Britain's exit from the European Union. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo speaks with the media outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Friday, April 12, 2024. British and Spanish foreign ministers are scheduled to meet Friday with a top European Commission official for another round of negotiations over the status of the disputed territory of Gibraltar following Britain's exit from the European Union. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, center, walks with his delegation outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Friday, April 12, 2024. British and Spanish foreign ministers are scheduled to meet Friday with a top European Commission official for another round of negotiations over the status of the disputed territory of Gibraltar following Britain's exit from the European Union. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo speaks with the media outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Friday, April 12, 2024. British and Spanish foreign ministers are scheduled to meet Friday with a top European Commission official for another round of negotiations over the status of the disputed territory of Gibraltar following Britain's exit from the European Union. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno speaks with the media outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Friday, April 12, 2024. British and Spanish foreign ministers are scheduled to meet Friday with a top European Commission official for another round of negotiations over the status of the disputed territory of Gibraltar following Britain's exit from the European Union. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, right, walks outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Friday, April 12, 2024. British and Spanish foreign ministers are scheduled to meet Friday with a top European Commission official for another round of negotiations over the status of the disputed territory of Gibraltar following Britain's exit from the European Union. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno speaks with the media outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Friday, April 12, 2024. British and Spanish foreign ministers are scheduled to meet Friday with a top European Commission official for another round of negotiations over the status of the disputed territory of Gibraltar following Britain's exit from the European Union. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno speaks with the media outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Friday, April 12, 2024. British and Spanish foreign ministers are scheduled to meet Friday with a top European Commission official for another round of negotiations over the status of the disputed territory of Gibraltar following Britain's exit from the European Union. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno speaks with the media outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Friday, April 12, 2024. British and Spanish foreign ministers are scheduled to meet Friday with a top European Commission official for another round of negotiations over the status of the disputed territory of Gibraltar following Britain's exit from the European Union. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)
FILE - Aerial view of Gibraltar rock taken from the neighbouring Spanish city of La Linea, on Oct. 17, 2019. British and Spanish foreign ministers are to meet in Brussels on Friday April 12, 2024 in a bid to take a giant leap forward on talks over the status of the disputed territory of Gibraltar following Britain's exit from the European Union. All sides are eager to clinch a deal before European elections in June which could set the clock back. Britain left the European Union in 2020 with the relationship between Gibraltar and the bloc unresolved. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo, File)
FILE - People walk past a Brexit information office at the British territory of Gibraltar, on Jan. 31, 2020. British and Spanish foreign ministers are to meet in Brussels on Friday April 12, 2024 in a bid to take a giant leap forward on talks over the status of the disputed territory of Gibraltar following Britain's exit from the European Union. All sides are eager to clinch a deal before European elections in June which could set the clock back. Britain left the European Union in 2020 with the relationship between Gibraltar and the bloc unresolved. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo, File)
