European Council President Charles Michel called Wednesday on the United Kingdom to refrain from focusing on "negotiation methods" in its trade talks for the next phase of the currently stalled exit from the European Union as the deadline nears, focusing instead on the results.

"The United Kingdom now has an important choice to make for its future," he declared from the European Parliament. "It is not about choosing methods of negotiation, it is about the model of society and the model of economy that it wants in its future."

He criticized London's desire to enter the European single market "while enjoying at the same time the ability to not adhere to our standards and our regulations when it suits them,” stressing that it cannot get everything.

With the negotiations stalled more than ever, London and Brussels have been calling the other side for days to take steps to break the stalemate.

The British are calling for a "fundamental change in the approach of the European Union," meaning that the Europeans will also be willing to make concessions in order to reach an agreement.

Wednesday, Barnier said, "It is evident that any international agreement will entail restrictions on the two parties, acceptable to both."

He added, "Despite the difficulties, the agreement is within our reach if we, that is, both parties, are prepared to work constructively (...) in the coming days," because "time is very limited."

The already difficult Brexit negotiations became more complicated last Thursday, when the European Union asked the United Kingdom for concessions to reach a free trade agreement during the remaining time, to be applied from next year when the European rules are no longer valid in Britain.

At the time, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the talks were "finished" and asked to prepare for an exit without an agreement, a result that would be painful for economies already undermined by the Covid-19 epidemic.

Paris had previously confirmed through its Minister for European Affairs Clément Peon that the 27 countries in the Union would not alter their "approach" but were still "ready" for negotiation.