EU tells Britain to make up its mind as Brexit deal ‘within reach’ | One America News Network

The European Union told Britain on Wednesday to make up its mind on Brexit, putting the onus back on London to unlock trade talks as the bloc’s chief negotiator said an agreement was still within reach.
A frustrated European Union and piqued Britain both exhorted each other this week to compromise to avoid a disruptive finale to the five-year Brexit drama that would add to economic pain from the coronavirus crisis.

“Time is very short and we stand ready to negotiate 24/7, on all subjects, on legal texts. The UK has a bit of a decision to make and it’s their free and sovereign choice,” European Council President Charles Michel told the European Parliament.

He said Britain’s answer would determine its level of access to the EU’s internal market, adding: “This is just common sense.”

With some 900 billion euros of annual trade at stake in the talks, the EU’s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier told the parliament an agreement was still “within reach”.

“Time is of the essence … Along with our British counterparts, we must find solutions to the most difficult areas,” Barnier said, in comments that pushed sterling higher.