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Brexit negotiator Verhofstadt to meet NI politicians 'UK must find Irish border solution' -
(about 2 hours later)
The European Parliament's Brexit negotiator is to meet Northern Ireland's political leaders at Stormont ahead of a visit to the Irish border. The European Parliament's Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt has said it is up to the UK to find a way to avoid new controls on the Irish border.
Guy Verhofstadt is on a two-day visit to Ireland and is expected to address a joint committee of the Irish Parliament on Thursday. This echoes the position already laid out by the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier.
Mr Verhofstadt is in Northern Ireland to meet political leaders at Stormont ahead of a visit to the Irish border.
He will also meet business and community leaders in the Armagh-Monaghan border area.He will also meet business and community leaders in the Armagh-Monaghan border area.
Mr Verhofstadt is the link between EU negotiators and MEPs. The former Belgian prime minister is on a two-day visit to Ireland and is expected to address a joint committee of the Irish Parliament on Thursday.
Mr Verhostadtis the link between EU negotiators and MEPs.
He is not directly involved in the Brexit negotiations but any deal between the EU and UK will need to be approved by the European Parliament.He is not directly involved in the Brexit negotiations but any deal between the EU and UK will need to be approved by the European Parliament.
The parliament's resolution on the Brexit states that it is "especially concerned" by the impact on Northern Ireland and that is "crucial" to preserve the 1998 Good Friday Agreement in all its parts.The parliament's resolution on the Brexit states that it is "especially concerned" by the impact on Northern Ireland and that is "crucial" to preserve the 1998 Good Friday Agreement in all its parts.
Mr Verhofstadt has previously said: "We will never accept a hard border again between Northern Ireland and the Irish republic."Mr Verhofstadt has previously said: "We will never accept a hard border again between Northern Ireland and the Irish republic."
Last month, he dismissed the UK's proposals for its future customs relationship with the European Union as "a fantasy."Last month, he dismissed the UK's proposals for its future customs relationship with the European Union as "a fantasy."
The UK has said it will leave the customs union - the EU's tariff-free trading area-after Brexit.The UK has said it will leave the customs union - the EU's tariff-free trading area-after Brexit.
It has proposed a new "innovative and untested approach" which would remove the need for any customs checks between the UK and the EU.It has proposed a new "innovative and untested approach" which would remove the need for any customs checks between the UK and the EU.
An alternative proposal involves a "highly streamlined arrangement" which would mean small businesses trading across the Irish border avoiding any new tariffs or paperwork.An alternative proposal involves a "highly streamlined arrangement" which would mean small businesses trading across the Irish border avoiding any new tariffs or paperwork.
Both proposals have been met with a sceptical response by other EU leaders.Both proposals have been met with a sceptical response by other EU leaders.
On Friday, Prime Minister Theresa May will travel to Italy to make a speech on Brexit, ahead of round of negotiations next week.On Friday, Prime Minister Theresa May will travel to Italy to make a speech on Brexit, ahead of round of negotiations next week.