The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said “there are reasons for determination” when asked by a reporter if there were reasons for optimism.
Mr Barnier was heading into another round of Brexit talks with UK negotiators as pressure intensifies to get a deal.
Britain has left the EU but are currently in the transition period until the 31st December this year, meaning there is limited time left to come to an agreement.
Lord Frost, Michel Barnier’s UK counterpart, said last Friday: “For a deal to be possible it must fully respect UK sovereignty. That is not just a word – it has practical consequences.
“That includes: controlling our borders; deciding ourselves on a robust and principled subsidy control system; and controlling our fishing waters.
“We will continue to work hard to get it – because an agreement on any other basis is not possible.”
Subscribe to The Telegraph on YouTube ► https://bit.ly/3idrdLH
Get the latest headlines: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Telegraph.co.uk and YouTube.com/TelegraphTV are websites of The Telegraph, the UK’s best-selling quality daily newspaper providing news and analysis on UK and world events, business, sport, lifestyle and culture.
