The 20-minute telephone call between UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker appeared to have delivered nothing new. Johnson’s spokespersons said he released that ” UK will be leaving the EU on October 31, whatever the circumstances, and that we absolutely want to do so with a deal.” Also, Johnson was “clear, however, that unless the Withdrawal Agreement is reopened and the backstop abolished there is no prospect of that deal.”
On the other hand, Juncker’s spokesperson said he “repeated his willingness to work constructively with Prime Minister Johnson and to look at any concrete proposals he may have, as long as they are compatible with the Withdrawal Agreement.” And, Juncker underlined the EU27’s support for Ireland is steadfast and that the EU will continue to be very attentive to Ireland’s interests.” Also, EU was “fully prepared for a no-deal scenario” and “a no-deal scenario will only ever be the UK’s decision, not the EU’s.”
Separately, the opposition parties were seeking to pass a law to force a Brexit delay to prevent no-deal Brexit.
