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Britain and the European Union are within touching distance of completing an historic trade agreement after years of negotiation, but an 11th-hour snag over fishing has held up the announcement.
A breakthrough had been expected this morning, but a press conference by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is yet to materialise.
It is understood that there has been a last-minute snag but it is not considered insurmountable.
The debate on how to attribute fishing rights in UK waters emerged as the final stumbling block once again, sending negotiators back into intense discussions dealing with quotas line by line, species by species.
Britain clinched a Brexit trade deal with the European Union on Thursday, just seven days before it exits one of the world’s biggest trading blocs in its most significant global shift since the loss of empire.
25/12/2020 Today is a day of relief. But tainted by some sadness, as we compare what came before with what lies ahead. Photo credit: Getty
Britain clinched a Brexit trade deal with the European Union on Thursday, seven days before it exits one of the world s biggest trading blocs in its most significant global shift since the loss of the empire.
Below are some of the reactions:
MAJOR PLAYERS
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson: We have today resolved a question which has bedevilled our politics for decades and it is up to us, all together, as a newly and truly independent nation to realise the immensity of this moment and to make the most of it.