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UK will leave the single market and customs union - chief EU negotiator Barnier (WATCH LIVE) Brexit deal within reach by next week - chief EU negotiator Barnier
(35 minutes later)
Michel Barnier, the EU chief negotiator has said that the UK will leave the EU’s Customs Union and Single Market, in Brussels, Wednesday, at the European Parliament. Michel Barnier, the EU chief negotiator has said that a Brexit deal between the UK and EU was within reach by next Wednesday, in Brussels, Wednesday, at the European Parliament.
Barnier stated that, following negotiations with his UK counterparts, 80-85% of the Withdrawal Agreement has been agreed. The negotiator stated that, following negotiations with his UK counterparts, 80-85% of the Withdrawal Agreement has been agreed. 
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DETAILS TO FOLLOW Barnier confirmed that the UK is set to leave both the EU’s Customs Union and Single Market. Outlining the current state of Brexit negotiations, Barnier stated there must be checks on goods between the EU and UK
In relation to Ireland he insisted that these customs and compliance checks cannot be carried out at the Irish-Northern Irish border, maintaining that the EU respects the UK’s constitutional integrity.
Barnier did however reveal that the EU was still open to the idea of keeping the customs union with the UK to forgo the need for any customs checks.
Barnier told European lawmakers: “We are doing our best to reach a deal... a lot of the Withdrawal Agreement has been agreed.. 80-85% for the moment, however difficult issues left until the end... governance (ie ECJ) geographical indicators and Ireland.”
He claimed Theresa May's Chequers plan which would see the UK stay in the single market for goods, but opt out of regulations affecting production was problematic. This he said would create an à la carte single market system that would give the UK a “huge competitive edge” over EU companies.
He finished on a personal note, conceding that for him, Brexit is a pity and “brings no added value. It is a negative negotiation. It is a lose, lose game."
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