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UK Has 48 Hours to Come Up With Brexit Solution, EU Says

UK Has 48 Hours to Come Up With Brexit Solution, EU Says
folder_openUnited Kingdom access_time5 years ago
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By Staff, Agencies

The European Union gave Britain until Friday to table a workable solution to the Irish border dilemma if they want a breakthrough in stalled Brexit talks before the March 29 deadline.

Relatively, British and European negotiators were discussing possible changes to British Prime Minister Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement to make it more appealing to lawmakers before it comes up for a meaningful vote in the House of Commons next week, according to UK media reports.

May’s deal opponents argue that the backstop undermines Britain’s sovereignty, arguing that it may trap the UK in a permanent customs union with the EU.

Speaking to the media on Thursday morning, France’s Europe minister, Natalie Loiseau, said London had yet to offer any “precise proposals” on the so-called Irish backstop clause, the main bone of contention between lawmakers and the government.

Besides, a European Commission spokesperson said Wednesday that talks had been “difficult” so far and that “no solution” was in sight.

EU officials consider talks on amending Brexit deal have made no progress.

In the same respect, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar confirmed the reports about London’s failure to find a solution, telling the Irish parliament earlier this week that May’s team had put forward no actual legal text for the EU to consider.

After his latest meeting with the EU negotiators on Wednesday, UK Attorney General Geoffrey Cox refused to reveal the discussions but said “both sides have exchanged robust, strong views and we are now facing the real discussions.”

A leaked diplomatic note from European negotiators suggests that London has proposed two possible changes to the backstop but both have of them have been turned down.

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