BRUSSELS/LONDON, Nov 3, 2020, SPA -- The European Union and Britain have so far failed to reach agreement on three most persistent sticking points in their trade talks, both sides said on Tuesday, highlighting the fact that any breakthrough in securing a Brexit deal is still a way off. After nearly two weeks of intensified talks to salvage free trade from 2021 after Brexit, stubborn differences over fisheries, fair competition and settling disputes have yet to be overcome, they said according to Reuters. Businesses hope that the time pressure and a COVID-19 crisis spiraling across much of Europe can focus minds on clinching a deal to avoid chaos in commerce, energy ties and aviation. But fisheries, a sector laden with symbolism for Brexit supporters in Britain, is proving an especially tricky problem, with London insisting on annual negotiations on quotas - a demand the EU resists. --SPA 21:12 LOCAL TIME 18:12 GMT 0023 www.spa.gov.sa/w1441368