UK-EU planning instensive talk on Irish border, after completing the transition deal

UK Brexit Secretary David Davis is targeting to complete the legal text of the transition deal at the two-day summit from March 22. Most of the differences would likely be bridged on the following days. But the criteria of avoiding a hard Irish border remains a key showstopper. EU proposed a fall back option in its own draft published earlier this month. That is, should there be no compromisable solution, Norther Ireland would stay in the customs union along side Republic of Ireland. But UK Prime Minister Theresa May has instantly and bluntly rejected that idea. Intensive talk is now planned between March 26 and April 18 on the issue. There is some optimism on completing the transition agreement among UK officials. But businesses in UK would definite request a deal with full clarity. Any conditions in the deal attached to the outcome of Irish border issue would dissatisfy UK businesses and markets.