03:32"We believe that an agreement is difficult, but that it is still possible and we will continue to negotiate," said German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Berlin on Friday commenting on the latest Brexit talks.
Speaking at a press conference with his Irish counterpart Simon Coveney, Maas said the EU remained 'hopeful' of a Brexit agreement but that contingencies were in place in case of a no-deal.
"We want an agreement, but an agreement that makes sense, that would be in the interest of the people in the EU, but also in the UK and I believe it is possible," Maas said.
"If the negotiations fail, which should also be mentioned here, the UK and the EU will remain partners and friends anyway and it will be our responsibility to make this clear, even in such case," he continued.
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney also reiterate the need to find common ground.
"We do, though, still believe it's possible to get a deal on a future relationship, a trade agreement. We believe it's possible to do that in a way that protects EU’s interests, the integrity of our single markets, ensuring that we have free but also fair trade and competition in the future. And also respecting Britain's insistence on being treated as an independent, sovereign country outside of the European Union," he stated.
Despite months of talks, the European Union and Britain are still struggling to reach a deal on Brexit, with fishing rights and economic fair play at the heart of the dispute.
The two sides have set a deadline of Sunday to seal a deal and avoid a tough separation.
Germany: Berlin believes Brexit deal is 'difficult but possible'
"We believe that an agreement is difficult, but that it is still possible and we will continue to negotiate," said German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Berlin on Friday commenting on the latest Brexit talks.
Speaking at a press conference with his Irish counterpart Simon Coveney, Maas said the EU remained 'hopeful' of a Brexit agreement but that contingencies were in place in case of a no-deal.
"We want an agreement, but an agreement that makes sense, that would be in the interest of the people in the EU, but also in the UK and I believe it is possible," Maas said.
"If the negotiations fail, which should also be mentioned here, the UK and the EU will remain partners and friends anyway and it will be our responsibility to make this clear, even in such case," he continued.
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney also reiterate the need to find common ground.
"We do, though, still believe it's possible to get a deal on a future relationship, a trade agreement. We believe it's possible to do that in a way that protects EU’s interests, the integrity of our single markets, ensuring that we have free but also fair trade and competition in the future. And also respecting Britain's insistence on being treated as an independent, sovereign country outside of the European Union," he stated.
Despite months of talks, the European Union and Britain are still struggling to reach a deal on Brexit, with fishing rights and economic fair play at the heart of the dispute.
The two sides have set a deadline of Sunday to seal a deal and avoid a tough separation.
"We believe that an agreement is difficult, but that it is still possible and we will continue to negotiate," said German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Berlin on Friday commenting on the latest Brexit talks.
Speaking at a press conference with his Irish counterpart Simon Coveney, Maas said the EU remained 'hopeful' of a Brexit agreement but that contingencies were in place in case of a no-deal.
"We want an agreement, but an agreement that makes sense, that would be in the interest of the people in the EU, but also in the UK and I believe it is possible," Maas said.
"If the negotiations fail, which should also be mentioned here, the UK and the EU will remain partners and friends anyway and it will be our responsibility to make this clear, even in such case," he continued.
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney also reiterate the need to find common ground.
"We do, though, still believe it's possible to get a deal on a future relationship, a trade agreement. We believe it's possible to do that in a way that protects EU’s interests, the integrity of our single markets, ensuring that we have free but also fair trade and competition in the future. And also respecting Britain's insistence on being treated as an independent, sovereign country outside of the European Union," he stated.
Despite months of talks, the European Union and Britain are still struggling to reach a deal on Brexit, with fishing rights and economic fair play at the heart of the dispute.
The two sides have set a deadline of Sunday to seal a deal and avoid a tough separation.