LOC16:33
13:33 GMT
BRUSSELS, June 5 (KUNA) -- The fourth round of negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom on their future relationship ended Friday without making any headway.
Speaking at an online press conference today, EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said, "no significant progress "has been made on talks this week.
"In all areas the UK continues to backtrack under commitments it has undertaken," he said.
Barnier noted that no progress was made in four significant areas, fishing, on open and fair trade competition, guarantees on fundamental rights, and governance of future partnership.
"To tell the truth, there has been no significant progress on these points not since the start of the negotiations," he said.
"I don't think we can go on like this forever," warned Barnier.
He said that the UK does not want to discuss with the EU foreign and defence policies adding, "I don't understand why."
He said that the UK has refused to extend the transition period, which ends in December to allow more time for negotiations.
If there is no change, the UK will leave the single market and the customs union on 31 December less than seven months from now, he said.
"Our lack of progress in this negotiation is not due to our method but to the substance. We must stick to our commitments if we want to move forward," said Barnier.
The UK left the EU on 31 January, but remains inside the EU's tariff-free single market and customs union until the end of this year.
The transition period can be extended by two years but an agreement to do so has to be made by July 1.
This week's round of EU-UK talks were also held via video-conference due to the coronavirus pandemic. (end)
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