British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday he hoped the European Union would “see sense” and agree a post-Brexit trade deal, adding all the bloc needed to do was recognise Britain's right to sovereignty.
“Every hope I have (is) that our friends and partners across the Channel will see sense and do a deal, and all that that takes is for them to understand that the UK has a natural right, like every other country, to want to be able to control its own laws and its own fishing grounds,” he told parliament.
Meanwhile, the EU's chief executive said she could not say if there would be a trade deal with the UK but there had been progress and the next few days would be critical.
“As things stand, I cannot tell you whether there will be a deal or not. But I can tell you that there is a path to an agreement now. The path may be very narrow but it is there,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
“We have found a way forward on most issues but two issues still remain outstanding: the level playing field and fisheries. I am glad to report that issues linked to governance now have largely been resolved. The next days are going to be decisive,” she told the European Parliament in Brussels.
