EU chief Ursula von der Leyen gave her most optimistic assessment of negotiations yet on Wednesday morning, but added she could still not say for sure if there would be a deal.

British and European negotiators have made little progress towards agreeing fair trade rules but are still far apart on access to fishing, she said as intense talks on a post-Brexit trade deal continued nearby in Brussels.

"The good news is that we have found a way forward on most issues," she said, adding that she and EU negotiator Michel Barnier can now see a "narrow path to an agreement".&nbsp;

"The next days are going to be decisive," the president of the European Commission told the European Parliament.

"But this is now a case of us being so close, and yet being so far away from each other, because two issues still remain outstanding, you know them: a level playing field and the fisheries."

Von der Leyen said that Barnier and his UK counterpart David Frost had made progress towards resolving rules for state aid to businesses and that the ways the deal will be governed "by now are largely being resolved."

But she was pessimistic on fish.&nbsp;

For months, the post-Brexit trade negotiations have stalled on the issues of fishing rights and the “level playing field” measures to prevent unfair competition. Britain is insisting that when it leaves the EU single market at the end of the year it will resume full control over access to its waters.

EU member states are holding out to preserve quotas for their crews fishing in UK waters and they want a long-term arrangement to provide stability.

Britain has so far only offered reduced access and annual quota renegotiations.

Ursula von der Leyen told MEPs there had been progress on the latter.

"On fisheries, the discussion is still very difficult," von der Leyen said.&nbsp;

"We do not question the UK sovereignty on its own waters, but we asked for predictability and stability for our fishermen and our fisherwomen," she said.

"And in all honesty, I sometimes feel that we will not be able to resolve this question."

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen gave her most optimistic assessment of negotiations yet on Wednesday morning, but added she could still not say for sure if there would be a deal.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen gave her most optimistic assessment of negotiations yet on Wednesday morning, but added she could still not say for sure if there would be a deal. British and European negotiators have made little progress towards agreeing fair trade rules but are still far apart on access to fishing, she said as intense talks on a post-Brexit trade deal continued nearby in Brussels. "The good news is that we have found a way forward on most issues," she said, adding that she and EU negotiator Michel Barnier can now see a "narrow path to an agreement". "The next days are going to be decisive," the president of the European Commission told the European Parliament. "But this is now a case of us being so close, and yet being so far away from each other, because two issues still remain outstanding, you know them: a level playing field and the fisheries." Von der Leyen said that Barnier and his UK counterpart David Frost had made progress towards resolving rules for state aid to businesses and that the ways the deal will be governed "by now are largely being resolved." But she was pessimistic on fish. For months, the post-Brexit trade negotiations have stalled on the issues of fishing rights and the “level playing field” measures to prevent unfair competition. Britain is insisting that when it leaves the EU single market at the end of the year it will resume full control over access to its waters. EU member states are holding out to preserve quotas for their crews fishing in UK waters and they want a long-term arrangement to provide stability. Britain has so far only offered reduced access and annual quota renegotiations. Ursula von der Leyen told MEPs there had been progress on the latter. "On fisheries, the discussion is still very difficult," von der Leyen said. "We do not question the UK sovereignty on its own waters, but we asked for predictability and stability for our fishermen and our fisherwomen," she said. "And in all honesty, I sometimes feel that we will not be able to resolve this question."

Intense talks on a post-Brexit trade deal continue, EU chief says 'next days decisive'

As per the&nbsp;EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, Brexit talks have now entered the "last mile" on Monday. Leyen expressed satisfaction over the progress of the Brexit talks with the UK.

"First of all there is movement. That is good... We are talking about a new beginning with old friends," she told a conference organised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-uk-businesses-urge-pm-boris-johnson-for-trade-deal-with-eu-349555">Brexit: UK businesses urge PM Boris Johnson for trade deal with EU</a>

While she was content with the way the post-Brexit trade pact talks were progressing, she also mentioned how this last mile was essential. "We are on the very last mile to go. But it is an essential one. We want a level playing field, not only at the start, but also over time," she said.

Talking about the need to figure out the details of the pact, she added, "This is the architecture we are building. We are fine about the architecture itself, but the details in it -- do they really fit? These are crucial points because it is a matter of fairness, fair competition and we want to ensure that."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-manufacturers-warn-of-knockout-blow-from-no-deal-brexit-349612">WATCH|</a>

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Her statement has come a day after the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Ursula had met for a detailed talk and had urged the experts and negotiators to figure out a way of making the deal work even at such a late stage. While the motion was applauded by many, the&nbsp;French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire warned Britishers that in the situation of a no-deal, the "losers will be the British. We don't lose much."

"Brexit, to quote a very simple phrase of John Le Carre -- to whom I take this opportunity to pay tribute -- is 'lunacy'," he said and added, "I&nbsp;regret that my British friends have to pay the price, because they are paying the price for populism, they are paying the price for lies."

As per the EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, Brexit talks have now entered the "last mile" on Monday. Leyen expressed satisfaction over the progress of the Brexit talks with the UK.

As per the EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, Brexit talks have now entered the "last mile" on Monday. Leyen expressed satisfaction over the progress of the Brexit talks with the UK. "First of all there is movement. That is good... We are talking about a new beginning with old friends," she told a conference organised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Also read| Brexit: UK businesses urge PM Boris Johnson for trade deal with EU While she was content with the way the post-Brexit trade pact talks were progressing, she also mentioned how this last mile was essential. "We are on the very last mile to go. But it is an essential one. We want a level playing field, not only at the start, but also over time," she said. Talking about the need to figure out the details of the pact, she added, "This is the architecture we are building. We are fine about the architecture itself, but the details in it -- do they really fit? These are crucial points because it is a matter of fairness, fair competition and we want to ensure that." WATCH| × Her statement has come a day after the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Ursula had met for a detailed talk and had urged the experts and negotiators to figure out a way of making the deal work even at such a late stage. While the motion was applauded by many, the French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire warned Britishers that in the situation of a no-deal, the "losers will be the British. We don't lose much." "Brexit, to quote a very simple phrase of John Le Carre -- to whom I take this opportunity to pay tribute -- is 'lunacy'," he said and added, "I regret that my British friends have to pay the price, because they are paying the price for populism, they are paying the price for lies."

Satisfied with movement in Brexit talks: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are all set to come face to face in an attempt to seal a post-brexit trade deal. UK & EU's repeated efforts to narrow their differences have fallen flat.

UK, EU to discuss post-brexit trade deal, both sides still stuck over 3 issues

United Kingdom and European Union negotiators paused trade talks on Friday to call in their leaders to try to narrow gaps and get an agreement over the line.

UK, EU call in leaders to save trade talks | Johnson, EU Chief to hold emergency call

The president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said Monday she would self-isolate for a day after learning she had met someone infected with Covid-19.

Von der Leyen said she was at a meeting on Tuesday last week attended by a person who tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday.

"In accordance with regulations in force, I'm therefore self-isolating until tomorrow morning. I've tested negative on Thursday and am tested again today," she tweeted.

The head of the EU executive did not mention this in her announcement, but on Tuesday last week she was visiting Lisbon for talks with senior Portuguese officials.

When she is in Brussels, von der Leyen generally stays in a small flat on the 13th floor of the European Commission's Berlaymont headquarters, near her office. She is not the first senior EU official to be quarantined in recent weeks.&nbsp;

Last month the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, was forced to postpone a European leaders' summit for a week after a security guard in his team tested positive.

The summit went ahead on Thursday and Friday last week, and was attended by Von der Leyen.

The president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said Monday she would self-isolate for a day after learning she had met someone infected with Covid-19.

The president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said Monday she would self-isolate for a day after learning she had met someone infected with Covid-19. Von der Leyen said she was at a meeting on Tuesday last week attended by a person who tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday. "In accordance with regulations in force, I'm therefore self-isolating until tomorrow morning. I've tested negative on Thursday and am tested again today," she tweeted. The head of the EU executive did not mention this in her announcement, but on Tuesday last week she was visiting Lisbon for talks with senior Portuguese officials. When she is in Brussels, von der Leyen generally stays in a small flat on the 13th floor of the European Commission's Berlaymont headquarters, near her office. She is not the first senior EU official to be quarantined in recent weeks. Last month the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, was forced to postpone a European leaders' summit for a week after a security guard in his team tested positive. The summit went ahead on Thursday and Friday last week, and was attended by Von der Leyen.

EU chief von der Leyen 'self-isolating' after exposure to COVID-19

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was optimistic that a Brexit deal could be reached as he prepared for talks on Saturday with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen to determine the next steps in the fraught negotiations.

The comments came&nbsp;ahead of a videoconference with von der Leyen to take stock of progress made in the latest round of talks.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Johnson said the prospects of a year-end deal to avoid an abrupt Brexit separation "are very good if everybody just exercises some common sense and looks at the deal that is there to be done".&nbsp;

British and EU negotiators said Friday trade discussions remained deadlocked on key areas, with London urging Brussels to give ground to avoid a damaging "no-deal" at the end of the year.

Both sides have pinpointed a European summit on October 15 as the latest an agreement could be reached for it to be ratified in time for it take effect at the end of December.

But von der Leyen has already warned against a deal "at any price".

After the ninth round of talks in the tortuous process broke up in Brussels, with renewed commitments to find a way out of the impasse, there was clear acknowledgement the clock was ticking.

Despite indicating there were signs of agreement in a number of areas, UK negotiator David Frost warned disagreements over competition rules and fishing may be "impossible" to overcome without the EU giving ground.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she believed a deal was still possible, though she said that the next days would be crucial.

The von der Leyen and Johnson call also follows the launch of legal action by Brussels in response to the British government's attempt to overturn parts of the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

On Tuesday, British MPs backed a bill to regulate the UK's internal market from January 1, when Britain completes its post-Brexit transition period and leaves the EU single market and customs union.

Johnson has pushed on with the legislation despite concerns in his own party and a warning from Washington that it puts Irish peace at risk.

(with inputs)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was optimistic that a Brexit deal could be reached as he prepared for talks on Saturday with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen to determine the next steps in the fraught negotiations.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was optimistic that a Brexit deal could be reached as he prepared for talks on Saturday with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen to determine the next steps in the fraught negotiations. The comments came ahead of a videoconference with von der Leyen to take stock of progress made in the latest round of talks. According to The Daily Telegraph, Johnson said the prospects of a year-end deal to avoid an abrupt Brexit separation "are very good if everybody just exercises some common sense and looks at the deal that is there to be done". British and EU negotiators said Friday trade discussions remained deadlocked on key areas, with London urging Brussels to give ground to avoid a damaging "no-deal" at the end of the year. Both sides have pinpointed a European summit on October 15 as the latest an agreement could be reached for it to be ratified in time for it take effect at the end of December. But von der Leyen has already warned against a deal "at any price". After the ninth round of talks in the tortuous process broke up in Brussels, with renewed commitments to find a way out of the impasse, there was clear acknowledgement the clock was ticking. Despite indicating there were signs of agreement in a number of areas, UK negotiator David Frost warned disagreements over competition rules and fishing may be "impossible" to overcome without the EU giving ground. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she believed a deal was still possible, though she said that the next days would be crucial. The von der Leyen and Johnson call also follows the launch of legal action by Brussels in response to the British government's attempt to overturn parts of the Brexit withdrawal agreement. On Tuesday, British MPs backed a bill to regulate the UK's internal market from January 1, when Britain completes its post-Brexit transition period and leaves the EU single market and customs union. Johnson has pushed on with the legislation despite concerns in his own party and a warning from Washington that it puts Irish peace at risk. (with inputs)

UK PM Johnson 'optimistic' over Brexit deal ahead of talks with EU chief

The president of the European Union’s executive arm Ursula Von Der said Wednesday that the United Kingdom cannot unilaterally change the bilateral Brexit agreement

EU Chief Ursula Von Der says Brexit deal cannot be changed

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