Boris Johnson restarts Brexit talks after Brussels caves in & vows to compromise
BORIS Johnson has tonight agreed to restart the Brexit talks after Brussels caved into his demands for the EU to compromise.
Michel Barnier will travel to London on Thursday to see David Frost and has declared a deal by mid-November is "within reach".
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The reboot came after the bloc's chief negotiator announced the crucial climbdown, completing a major negotiating victory for the PM.
He talked around his British counterpart during a phone call this afternoon.
Lord Frost said: "We have agreed that a basis for negotiations with the EU has been re-established. Intensive talks will happen every day."
A No 10 spokesman added: "It is clear significant gaps remain between our positions in the most difficult areas.
"But we are ready, with the EU, to see if it is possible to bridge them."
Addressing MEPs earlier, Mr Barnier vowed any deal will be "fully compatible" with the UK's "legitimate concern" about sovereignty.
He said: "We will seek the necessary compromises on both sides in order to do our utmost to reach an agreement and will do so right up until the last day.
"Our doors will always remain open right up until the very end. Despite the difficulties we've faced an agreement is within reach."
The Frenchman signalled a softer stance on access to waters, calling for a "fair distribution of quotas for fishermen on both sides".
But he also said the UK is prepared to compromise in return and has offered the EU greater assurances on common standards.
Senior eurocrats had earlier urged the PM to return to the table, with Council chief Charles Michel saying the bloc was ready to "negotiate 24/7".
Commission boss Ursula von der Leyen added: "Hard work is needed. There's no time to lose."
Mr Barnier's climbdown came after EU carmakers called on Brussels to “reconsider its position” in the talks.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, which represents firms including BMW, Toyota, and Fiat, urged a more generous approach.
It said the bloc's current approach was “not in the long-term interests of the EU automotive industry”.
But the PM suffered his own problems with big business as industry chiefs slammed a conference call with him about Brexit preparations.
One participant said the event on support for companies beyond January 1 was "pointless" and "a wasted 23 minutes of my life".