Merkel Says There Is ’Still Time’ To Find Brexit Solution

By Staff, Agencies

Voicing optimism on a political deal over the tricky “backstop” that has stymied progress, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there is still time to find a solution to Britain's exit from the EU.

Merkel told Japanese and German business leaders in Tokyo that "on the one hand, time is pressing" and businesses using "just-in-time" delivery processes could not afford lengthy customs procedures.

However, "From a political point of view, there is still time. Two months is not a long time but there is still time, and this should be used by all sides," she added.

Britain is poised to leave the EU at the end of March following a 2016 referendum.

Merkel acknowledged the issue of the unpopular Northern Ireland backstop provision was "complicating" Brexit talks.

The backstop is intended to ensure there is no return to a hard border with Ireland, but Brexit supporters fear it will keep Britain tied to EU customs rules.

She said the issue with the backstop was a "problem that is precisely defined and therefore one should be able to find a precisely defined solution."

"But this solution depends on the question of what the future relationship between Britain and the EU will be like and what type of trade deal we sign with each other," added the chancellor.

Throwing the ball into London's court, she stressed: "It will be very important for us to know what exactly the British side sees as its future relationship with the EU."