<p>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.</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>He called it “a very serious and somber situation" with the jobs of hundreds of thousands of people at stake.</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>“It's the moment of truth," said Barnier. “We have very little time remaining — just a few hours."T</p>
<p>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.</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>He called it “a very serious and somber situation" with the jobs of hundreds of thousands of people at stake.</p>.<p>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.</p>.<p>“It's the moment of truth," said Barnier. “We have very little time remaining — just a few hours."T</p>