OREANDA-NEWS. The European Union and the United Kingdom are likely to be unable to conclude an agreement on post-Brexit relationships. This opinion was expressed by Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator on Britains’s withdrawal from the community after the seventh round of talks on August 21. At the same time, London categorically refuses to extend the transition period beyond 2020.

“Today at this stage, an agreement between the UK and the EU seems unlikely. I simply do not understand why we are wasting valuable time. Those that were hoping for negotiations to accelerate this week will be disappointed. I am disappointed,” Barnier said.

Great Britain officially left the European Union on January 31st. Until the end of 2020, the country will remain be a member of the EU Customs Union and the EU Single Market. The country’s authorities officially notified the Union that they do not intend to extend the transitional period for leaving the association, which ends on December 31, 2020.