LONDON -- Brexit Secretary David Davis said Sunday the odds of
Britain exiting the European Union without a deal had dropped dramatically
following an agreement both sides reached in Brussels on Friday.
In a Sunday media interview, Davis said the deal struck by Prime
Minister Theresa May on Friday was a statement of intent and not legally
enforceable. Its aim, he said, was to move to the next phase of negotiations
with EU negotiators.
Without the landmark progress made in Brussels, EU Commission President
Jean-Claude Juncker would not have been able to recommend this week's meeting
of the European Council to agree to talks on Britain's post-Brexit relationship
moving to the next important phase.
Davis wants to secure a free-trade deal with no tariffs when it leaves
the EU. In the interview, he described it as "Canada plus plus plus"
deal.
This was a reference to a free trade deal struck between Canada and the
EU, but Davis wants Britain's EU deal to include financial services included in
the tariff-free area.
This is seen as critical to protecting a lucrative sector
for Britain, particularly the City of London and the multi-billion dollar
banking cluster in London, both a key part of the British economy.
Davis said he wanted a bespoke Brexit deal with the EU, saying:
"We'll probably start with the best of Canada, and the best of Japan and
the best of South Korea and then add to that the bits that are missing which is
the services."
He also said he believes Britain and the EU can strike a substantive
trade deal within a year.
Britain is also committed to keeping a frictionless and invisible
border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, said Davis, adding a
way would be found to achieve this in the event of a "no deal"
Brexit.
Keir Starmer, Brexit spokesman for the main opposition Labour Party,
said in a Sunday interview said he wanted a partnership with the EU that
retains the benefits of the European single market and the customs union.
May is scheduled to hold a formal meeting of her cabinet, comprising
her senior ministers, within a few days to discuss the progress on Brexit
talks.
Britain has agreed to a divorce deal of around 39 billion pounds (USD52.2 billion) to leave the EU, but a final settlement will only be paid if a future trade deal is agreed by both sides. (Xinhua)
Britain has agreed to a divorce deal of around 39 billion pounds (USD52.2 billion) to leave the EU, but a final settlement will only be paid if a future trade deal is agreed by both sides. (Xinhua)
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