BRUSSELS, July 9 (Reuters) - The European Union's executive
said on Thursday that "significant divergences" persisted in its
talks with Britain on their new relationship from 2021.
Britain left the EU in January and is in a standstill
transition period with the bloc to give the two sides time to
forge a new relationship on everything from trade to security.
Negotiations have so far failed to bridge gaps over
fisheries and fair competition guarantees, among other issues.
"We are working hard to overcome the significant divergences
that remain between us," a spokesman for the European
Commission told a daily news conference. "We are working towards
an agreement."
Negotiators meet again in Brussels next week after talks
this week in London.
(Reporting by Marine Strauss, Writing by Gabriela Baczynska)