"Significant differences" remain between the European Union and Britain over a post-Brexit trade deal, leaders from both sides said, with negotiators set to restart last-ditch talks on Sunday before a year-end cut-off.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke on the phone to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday.
A joint statement after the call said that three critical issues were at the heart of the impasse.
They are the level playing field for businesses, fisheries and the governance of any agreement.
“Both sides underlined that no agreement is feasible if these issues are not resolved," the statement said.
"While recognising the seriousness of these differences, we agreed that a further effort should be undertaken by our negotiating teams to assess whether they can be resolved.
“We are therefore instructing our chief negotiators to reconvene tomorrow in Brussels,” it added.
Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, said: "We will see if there is a way forward. Work continues tomorrow."
While the UK left the EU on January 31 this year, it remains in the bloc’s single market and customs union until December 31.
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May 7, 2015 - David Cameron wins General Election on the pledge to hold a EU referendum. AFP -
June 23, 2016 - The UK votes to leave the EU. AFP -
June 24, 2016 - David Cameron resigns in wake of referendum defeat. AFP -
July 11, 2016 - Theresa May wins Conservative Party leadership election. AFP -
March 29, 2017 - British government invokes Article 50. AFP -
April 18, 2017 - Theresa May calls snap election. AFP -
June 8, 2017 - Theresa May wins general election with reduced majority. AFP -
June 19, 2017 - Negotiations on withdrawal agreement begin. AFP -
November 14, 2018 - Text of withdrawal agreement published. AFP -
November 25, 2018 - Leaders of EU27 countries approve withdrawal agreement. AFP -
January 15, 2019 - Theresa May loses parliamentary vote on withdrawal agreement. AFP -
January 16, 2019 - Theresa May survives parliamentary vote of no confidence. AFP
With less than four weeks to go, both sides must also get agreement on any deal – which would govern nearly $1 trillion of trade a year – from their parliaments and the EU executive needs to get approval from all 27 member states.
