UK braces as last chance Brexit talks commence
Robert Carter
Press TV, London
This week will be the last chance for the UK to secure a deal with the European Union as the deadline looms. However, despite some optimistic comments from senior EU and UK diplomats, many suspect that any minor compromises will be reached.
The chief Brexit negotiator for the European Union Michel Barnier has met with EU ministers on Tuesday for the General Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg.
The meeting comes ahead of the European council summit due to be held in Brussels on Thursday. The Luxembourg talks are expected to focus strongly on the state of play regarding Brexit.
When the EU summit begins in Brussels, the British prime minister and his team will attend, but it may already have become clear by that point whether a deal is doable or not. On the same day, another round of British lawmaker debates will be held back here in London, but if the EU summit fails to produce a deal, attention may turn towards a potential extension instead.
Speaking to media, the EU’s Barnier admitted the negotiations rested on a knife-edge, but was clear time had not yet run out.
The British Brexit secretary also spoke optimistically upon arrival to the Luxembourg talks.
The cautious optimism comes amid reports of last minute compromises may have been made including a breakthrough on the contentious Irish border issue, but some spectators remain unconvinced.
Should the UK fail to find an agreement by Saturday, Boris Johnson will be forced by parliament to request an extension, leaving Johnson with two options: a short technical extension if a deal was on the cusp of being agreed or a longer prolongation of the UK’s EU membership to accommodate a general election or a second referendum.
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