Reuters: EU is ready to resume negotiations with Britain

The European Union is ready to continue negotiations with Britain past the end of the year, two diplomatic sources told Reuters, Report states.

“Progress has been made. Most issues are preliminarily closed or close to being agreed. However, differences in fisheries remain difficult to bridge,” said one EU diplomat. “Unfortunately, the EU is not moving enough yet to clinch a deal on fisheries.”

The diplomat, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said EU negotiators were “in the last push” to seal an agreement but added: “The EU will not close its door to the UK and remains ready to negotiate beyond the 1st of January.”

Another diplomat said after Barnier’s comments behind closed doors: “The negotiations are ongoing, the main problem remains fisheries. Neither side seems to want to stop the negotiation.”