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Differences remain, the clock keeps ticking as the second round of Brexit talks come to an end


Michel Barnier, chief negotiator for the preparation and conduct of the negotiations with the UK under Article 50 of the Treaty on EU gives a press conference at the European Commission on December 6, 2016.

EMMANUEL DUNAND | AFP | Getty Images

Michel Barnier, chief negotiator for the preparation and conduct of the negotiations with the UK under Article 50 of the Treaty on EU gives a press conference at the European Commission on December 6, 2016.

Barnier told the British negotiator, David Davis, “very clearly” that he needs to make the U.K. position evident to ensure “sufficient progress” in this process.

Brexit talks have a two-year deadline, expiring in March 2019. However, negotiators are still trying to clarify the British position, raising doubts over whether there will be a Brexit deal by then.

David Davis, the U.K.’s negotiator, acknowledged that indeed there is a clock ticking, but he sounded more positive about the progress done so far.

“Overall, I am encouraged by the progress we have made on understanding each other’s position on citizens’ rights; the financial settlement; the first meetings of sub-groups on separation issues, and on the issues around Ireland and Northern Ireland,” he told reporters in Brussels.

Davis reiterated that the U.K. will meet with its financial obligations.

However, at this round there was no progress achieved on the so-called exit bill.

“We are both going for a good deal,” Davis said.

The next round of talks is due in August.

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