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LONDON (Reuters) – A Brexit deal is currently in sight and should be finalized by Nov. 21, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said in a week – long letter published Wednesday. by a legislator.
British Secretary of State Leaving the European Union, Dominic Raab, arrives at Downing Street in London on October 29, 2018, in Britain. REUTERS / Henry Nicholls
The United Kingdom and the European Union have settled most disputes, but the question of Northern Ireland remains, said Raab in a letter dated 24 October sent to Hilary Benn, chair of Parliament's Brexit Committee .
"I would be happy to testify before the Committee when an agreement is finalized and I am currently waiting for November 21 to be agreed," said Raab, in response to a request to appear before legislators.
"The end is now in plain sight and, even if obstacles remain, we can not go beyond them. We have solved most of the problems. "
Asked about Raab's remarks in the letter, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Theresa May reiterated Britain's desire to reach an agreement on Brexit as soon as possible.
"I can not help repeating, as I have often done, that we have always said that we want to conclude this as soon as possible," he said.
The GBP = D3 sterling rose nearly 1% against the dollar to trade at 1.2831 USD and against the euro at 88.43 pence EURGBP = D3 after Raab's comments before retreating.
"This is good news at the margin, but not a strong sign of an agreement," Nomura said in a note to customers. It's "a hint of trust from Raab."
Brexit European negotiators told national envoys in Brussels on Wednesday that the technical talks were still focused on the Irish issue. They will do another update next week and the bloc will also organize seminars from mid-November to prepare a Brexit without agreement.
But sources in Brussels were still hoping that an agreement could be reached next month, once the United Kingdom has adopted its budget. They also highlighted the growing pressure of business as the end of the year approaches.
Just five months from the date on which Britain is due to leave the European Union on March 29, 2019, nothing is clear: May has still failed to reach a divorce agreement from the Brexit with the EU and the rebels of his party have threatened to vote against any agreement reached.
Raab said four steps remained: a joint customs territory between the United Kingdom and the European Union; an option to extend the implementation period; that any extension was not indeterminate; and continued access of businesses from Northern Ireland to the rest of the United Kingdom.
Reportage of Guy Faulconbridge; Other reports by Gabriela Baczynska; Edited by Andrew MacAskill, Gareth Jones and Peter Graff
