European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen buttons her jacket as she arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. European Union leaders will be assessing the state of their economy and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on it during their final day of a summit meeting. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys, Pool)
The Associated Press
LONDON (AP) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to speak to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday to 'œtake stock'ť of negotiations on a post-Brexit free trade deal and to 'œdiscuss next steps,'ť a British government spokesman said.
The U.K. announcement came as both sides were winding up another weeklong session of detailed negotiations on a rudimentary free trade agreement that should come in force once a Brexit transition period ends Dec. 31.
Little progress has been made on such a deal sine the U.K. left the bloc at the end of January.
Both sides have acknowledged that time is running out if they are to achieve an agreement before the current Brexit transition period comes to an end at the end of the year.
Johnson has said he is prepared to walk away from the negotiations if there is no agreement by the time of the next EU summit on October 15. The EU sees a deadline at the end of the month, allowing for two months to get any deal through legislative approval.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. European Union leaders will be assessing the state of their economy and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on it during their final day of a summit meeting. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys, Pool)
The Associated Press
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, prepares to take off her protective mask, prior to making a statement regarding the Withdrawal Agreement at EU headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. The European Union took legal action against Britain on Thursday over its plans to pass legislation that would breach parts of the legally binding divorce agreement the two sides reached late last year. (Johanna Geron, Pool via AP)
The Associated Press