Brexit talks intensify as bid to thrash out a deal continues in Brussels
Brexit negotiations are set to continue in Brussels over this weekend as both sides move toward a workable deal.
Discussions yesterday between EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier and UK Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay were labelled by the pair as “constructive”.
Read more: EU member states approve the opening of ‘tunnel’ negotiations’ on Brexit
Boris Johnson has reportedly compromised in order to break the Brexit deadlock with just a week to put a deal to parliament before he must ask for an extension under the new Benn Act.
According to reports his plan would see Northern Ireland leave the European Union’s customs union but continue to administer EU tariffs.
It would remove the need for customs checks and allow Northern Ireland to benefit from new UK trade deals. Although they would have to apply for a rebate from the government.
Downing Street has not commented on the proposal but on Friday Johnson refused to say whether Northern Ireland would stay in the bloc’s customs union
“I can certainly tell you that under no circumstances will we see anything that damages the ability of the whole of the United Kingdom to take full advantage of Brexit,” the Prime Minister said.
However, the prospect of customs checks in the Irish sea has raised concerns among unionists who want Northern Ireland to leave the EU on the same terms as the rest of the UK.
Speaking on Friday, DUP leader Arlene Foster said: “We have been consistent in our opposition to the backstop, whether UK or Northern Ireland only.
Read more:Michel Barnier and Stephen Barclay have ‘constructive’ meeting on Brexit
“Anything that traps Northern Ireland in the European Union, whether single market or customs union, as the rest of the United Kingdom leaves will not have our support. The prime minister is very mindful of that.”
Ambassadors from the 27 member states will meet tomorrow to discuss the progress on a deal further, with an EU leader’s summit scheduled for Thursday.