“Just a few hours” remain for London and Brussels to strike a Brexit trade deal, the EU’s chief negotiator has said.
Speaking to the European Parliament, Michel Barnier said it was the “moment of truth” for the two sides coming to an agreement.
“We have very little time remaining, just a few hours to work through these negotiations in a useful fashion if we want this agreement to enter into force on the first of January,” he said.
The PM has said the talks are now in ‘a serious situation’. Pic: Pippa Fowles / No 10 Downing Street
“There is a chance of getting an agreement but the path to such an agreement is very narrow.”
Mr Barnier added that the bloc would not sign a deal “at any price or any cost”.
“I cannot say what will come during this last home straight of negotiations,” he continued.
“We have to be prepared for all eventualities.”
Mr Barnier’s comments come after Boris Johnson told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that the talks are now in “a serious situation” and that a no-deal outcome is “very likely” unless the EU changes its stance “substantially”.