Home > EU > EU makes preparations to put in place any UK trade deal from Jan. 1

EU makes preparations to put in place any UK trade deal from Jan. 1

Written by Business World, on 23rd Dec 2020. Posted in EU

article headline

European Union member states have started to prepare procedures to put in place a new trade deal with Britain from Jan. 1, if one is agreed, three diplomatic sources in the bloc told Reuters on Wednesday.

During a meeting with the EU's executive European Commission - which is negotiating with Britain on behalf of all the 27 member states in the bloc - national diplomats in Brussels were told to be ready for a meeting on Thursday, should a deal come.

"It seems the deal is pretty much there. It's a matter of announcing it today or tomorrow," said one EU diplomat, saying the European Council, which represents the member states in Brussels, had started preparations to enable so-called "provisional application," a fast-track implementation of the agreement.

While both sides have said for days a deal is getting closer, the UK has been considerably more downbeat on the chances of getting there - let alone before Christmas - than the EU side. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie

More articles from EU

image Description

EU looks to new chapter in relations with Britain as Brexit deal is signed

Read more
image Description

EU shares jump on US stimulus aid support and Brexit deal relief

Read more
image Description

Last-minute fishing hitch delays announcement of Brexit deal

Read more
image Description

Taoiseach says Brexit gap wide on fish but deal still likely

Read more
image Description

Regulator clears way for use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Europe

Read more