The plea came from European Council President Charles Michel after he spoke with the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday.
Both sides agreed that “significant areas of difference remain” in trade talks, and Downing Street said Mr Johnson told Mr Michel that businesses and citizens needed “certainty very soon”.
Just talked to @BorisJohnson
The EU prefers a deal, but not at any cost.
Time for the UK to put its cards on the table. #EUCO #15-16October— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) October 7, 2020
The Prime Minister has set a deadline of October 15th if a deal is going to be in place by December 31st, when the transition period in which the UK remains in the single market ends.
Formal talks have come to a close but informal discussions are under way this week in London.
After talking to the Prime Minister, Mr Michel tweeted: “The EU prefers a deal, but not at any cost.
“Time for the UK to put its cards on the table.”
No 10 said Mr Johnson reiterated that the UK would be prepared to leave at the end of the transition period without a trade deal, but accepted brokering one would be “better for both sides” and that talks should “intensify”.
