EU-UK trade talks face 'last attempt' to fix fish, says European Union

In this file photo taken on June 28, 2016 A man waves both a Union flag and a European flag together on College Green outside The Houses of Parliament at an anti-Brexit protest in central London on June 28, 2016. - Britain on December 17, 2020 sounded a more pessimistic note over the outcome of last-ditch Brexit trade talks with the European Union, saying a "no-deal" scenario was still on the cards. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman said negotiators from both sides were working to "bridge the gaps that remain", as the EU indicated a deal was "difficult but possible" by Friday. Credit: AFP Photo

The European Union's chief negotiator said Friday that the bloc and the United Kingdom are starting a “last attempt" to clinch a post-Brexit trade deal, with EU fishing rights in British waters the most notable remaining obstacle to avoid a chaotic and costly changeover on New Year.

Michel Barnier told the EU parliament he “can't say what will come out during this home straight of the negotiations," which have already come a long way in nine months of talks.

He called it “a very serious and somber situation" with the jobs of hundreds of thousands of people at stake.

The EU parliament has set a Sunday night deadline on the talks since it still will have to approve any deal ahead of January 1, when a transition period following the January 31 departure of Britain from the bloc will expire.

“It's the moment of truth," said Barnier. “We have very little time remaining — just a few hours."T

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