EU, UK entering “last week or so” of substantive Brexit negotiations

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Sunday that talks with the European Union (EU) on post-Brexit trade are entering “the last week or so” of “substantive” post-Brexit trade negotiations.

Calling on the EU to accept a “point of principle” on fisheries, one of the sticking points in the talks, he seemed to reject what is reported to be the EU’s current offer on fishing — to return between 15 to 18 percent of fish stocks currently caught by EU fleets in British water, Sky News reported.

On other outstanding issues, Raab told Sky News that it “feels like there’s progress towards greater respect” for Britain’s position on so-called “level playing field” commitments — a set of post-Brexit common rules and standards.

Britain and the EU resumed face-to-face post-Brexit talks in London on Saturday after a EU negotiator tested positive for coronavirus earlier this month.

The negotiations are in a crucial stage as time is running out for both sides to secure a deal before Brexit transition period expires at the end of the year.