The UK and EU have restarted talks on post-Brexit trade, with a minister telling the BBC there is "still a deal to be done" despite time running short.
Britain's Environment Secretary George Eustice leaves Broadcasting House after making an appearance on the BBC political programme The Andrew Marr Show in London. Photo: AFP
Environment Secretary George Eustice said "sticking points" on fishing and business rules remained.
UK chief negotiator Lord Frost is taking part in discussions with EU counterpart Michel Barnier in Brussels.
EU sources told the BBC the two sides were nearing an agreement on access to UK waters by the EU's fishing fleets.
But they said there was still a dispute over what measures there should be to ensure a "level playing field" for businesses on both sides and how to enforce agreed standards.
Ireland's foreign minister has said it is "in everybody's interest" to reach an agreement soon.
Border checks and taxes will be introduced for goods travelling between the UK and the EU if a trade deal is not reached and ratified by the end of the year.
Eustice told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "There's still a deal to be done, but there's no denying that the end of last week was quite a setback."
"The sticking points remain - quite fundamental ones. We've been clear all along that we can only do an agreement if it respects our sovereignty."
"I think we probably are now in the final few days in terms of deciding whether there can be an agreement."
- BBC