EU Senior Advisor: EU is open to transition extension
European Union advisor Stefaan de Rynck said on Friday that the letter from the United Kingdom’s negotiator David Frost last week was “perplexing” as talks have been professional and welcoming. He stated the European Union is “certainly open” to a transition extension. “My personal assessment with the Covid crisis is we need to get to the economic recovery, which will be a massive challenge. Is it wise to end the transition at the end of this year? It’s an open question,” he added.
Asked if the EU insists on having one deal instead of a number of small agreements, De Rynck noted that an overall partnership would make it easier to develop the relationship over time. “Yes, the overarching governance structure is a fundamental point for us,” he said.
He added: “As to our demands being unreasonable, these are our demands. No qualification UK can put to them will change our demands. We need to find space for compromise loyal to the mandate of the EU. That’s the challenge that lies ahead of us.”
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