The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator has emphasised the bloc’s seemingly immovable position amid reports that the third round of talks between the two sides have failed to make any meaningful progress.
Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Wednesday, Mr Barnier said: “To be flexible you need two points, our point and their point.
“We need to know their position and then I can be flexible.”
The Frenchman later tweeted a similar sentiment, saying: “Negotiations ongoing: EUCO [European Council] guidelines are designed for serious and constructive negotiations, but we need clear UK positions on all issues.”
The UK’s negotiating team is keen to start discussions about a future trade deal, but is becoming increasingly exasperated by the EU’s refusal to even entertain the idea before the precise details of the so-called Brexit Bill are finalised.
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For their part, Mr Barnier’s side are frustrated with Britain’s apparent unwillingness to set out clear red lines, despite the recent publication of the first few position papers.
On Tuesday European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker criticised the UK’s Brexit paperwork, saying none of the documents produced by Whitehall had been “satisfactory”.
Mr Juncker’s intervention did little to quell the growing suspicion amongst British officials that Mr Barnier’s team are actually incapable of being “flexible”, but are instead waiting for the British to cede to their demands as time runs out.
Yesterday, during a three day visit to Japan, Prime Minister Theresa May urged Brussels to make progress on trade talks.
She said: “I think it is in all our interest to move on to those trade talks and to get a good deal.
“I have always said that the United Kingdom recognises we are a law-abiding country, we will meet our obligations but there are still significant discussions to be had on what that should be.
“I think progress on discussing a trade deal is not only going to be good for the United Kingdom, it would be good for the European Union.”
She also dismissed Mr Junker’s criticism of Britain’s position papers by referring him back to the Lancaster House speech in January.
She said: ”The Article 50 letter built on the Lancaster House speech.
“We have had publications since that continue to build on aspects of the Lancaster House speech. There has been no change – that has continued.”
Brexit Secretary David Davis will continue negotiations with the EU on Thursday, on the final day of this week’s round of meetings in Brussels.