Brexit negotiations have hit a "real problem" over the issue of the Irish border, government sources have warned. Ahead of a key summit, the EU is believed to be seeking further reassurances to prevent a so-called hard border involving physical checks. Hopes of a breakthrough were raised when the Brexit secretary made an unscheduled trip to Brussels on Sunday.
But talks faltered over the need for a backup plan - known as the backstop - to avoid a hard border. UK Prime Minister Theresa May has insisted any backstop arrangement should apply to the UK as a whole to avoid creating a new border in the Irish Sea. But Sunday's talks had broken down after the EU had insisted on a second backstop arrangement - just involving Northern Ireland - if the UK's version wasn't ready in time, Downing Street sources indicated.
The Democratic Unionist Party has vowed to oppose any new checks on goods passing between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. And the party's Brexit spokesman has said the prospect of a no-deal Brexit is "probably inevitable". Ireland's Foreign Minister, Simon Coveney, suggested a deal would not be done at this week's summit, which starts on Wednesday. Mr Coveney said he was "frustrated and disappointed" that it was going to take "more time than people had hoped".
No comments:
Post a Comment