EU’s chief Brexit negotiator says deal possible by November
BLED, Slovenia — The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator was cautiously optimistic Monday about the prospects of a deal with Britain by early November, in comments that triggered a big rally in the value of the pound.
At a conference in the Alpine lake resort of Bled in northwestern Slovenia, Michel Barnier said a Brexit deal was “not far” and that some 80 per cent of the withdrawal agreement had been agreed.
Though Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, 2019, an agreement will have to be reached months before hand in order to get the necessary ratifications though such places as the British Parliament and the European Parliament.
Being “realistic,” Barnier said a Brexit deal can be reached within six or eight weeks and by early November.