VdL: There Is Narrow Path To Agreement, So Close Yet So Far On LPF, Fish

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoes now-commonplace views on a potential Brexit deal:

• "I can not tell you whether there will be a deal or not but I can tell you there is a path to an agreement now. The path may be very narrow but it is there. We must now all walk the last miles."
• "The good news is that we have found a way forward on most issues. This is now a case of as being so close and yet being so far away from each other because two issues still remain outstanding - [...] a level playing field, and the fisheries."
• There is still no set deadline for an end to the current talks. The end of this week is seen as a natural stopping point if the deal is to be implemented by year end. However, with some calling for the deal not to face full parliamentary scrutiny (at least in the EU Parliament) in order to ensure a no-deal Brexit is avoided on 1 Jan, there is the potential for talks to last into Christmas week and up until new year.