European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and UK Prime Minister Theresa May held “constructive” talks in Brussels yesterday. According to a joint statement, they discussed the guarantees that could be give to underline once again that the Irish backstop’s “temporary nature”. And the “role alternative arrangement” could play in “replacing the backstop” in future. Also, additions or changes to the Political Declaration could be made to “increase confidence in the focus and ambition of both sides in delivering the future partnership envisaged as soon as possible.” EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier and UK Secretary of State Stephen Barclay will follow up and progress will be reviewed in the coming days.
May said after meeting with Juncker that “I have underlined the need for us to see legally binding changes to the backstop that ensure that it cannot be indefinite. That’s what is required if a deal is to pass the House of Commons. We have agreed that work to find a solution will continue at pace. Time is of the essence and it is in both our interests that when the UK leaves the EU it does so in an orderly way. So, we have made progress.”
