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Brexit: EU 'willing to listen' to Boris Johnson's ideas, says Donald Tusk | Brexit: EU 'willing to listen' to Boris Johnson's ideas, says Donald Tusk |
(about 2 hours later) | |
European Council President Donald Tusk has said the EU is "willing to listen" to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's ideas for Brexit if they are "realistic". | European Council President Donald Tusk has said the EU is "willing to listen" to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's ideas for Brexit if they are "realistic". |
But speaking at the G7 summit in Biarritz, France, Mr Tusk said he would "not co-operate on [a] no-deal". | But speaking at the G7 summit in Biarritz, France, Mr Tusk said he would "not co-operate on [a] no-deal". |
Mr Johnson said that if Mr Tusk - who he will meet on Sunday - did not want to be remembered as "Mr No-Deal Brexit", then UK demands must be met. | Mr Johnson said that if Mr Tusk - who he will meet on Sunday - did not want to be remembered as "Mr No-Deal Brexit", then UK demands must be met. |
Since becoming PM, Mr Johnson has said the UK will leave the EU on 31 October. | Since becoming PM, Mr Johnson has said the UK will leave the EU on 31 October. |
Mr Johnson has repeatedly stated he would prefer to leave the EU with a deal, but insists the backstop - the insurance policy designed to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland - must be removed from the withdrawal agreement. | Mr Johnson has repeatedly stated he would prefer to leave the EU with a deal, but insists the backstop - the insurance policy designed to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland - must be removed from the withdrawal agreement. |
"I've made it absolutely clear I don't want no deal and that we've got to get rid of the backstop from the treaty and if Mr Tusk doesn't want to go down as Mr No-Deal Brexit I hope that point will be borne in mind too," he said. | "I've made it absolutely clear I don't want no deal and that we've got to get rid of the backstop from the treaty and if Mr Tusk doesn't want to go down as Mr No-Deal Brexit I hope that point will be borne in mind too," he said. |
Earlier in the day, Mr Tusk had used the same moniker when talking about Mr Johnson. | Earlier in the day, Mr Tusk had used the same moniker when talking about Mr Johnson. |
"I still hope Prime Minister Johnson will not like to go down in history as Mr No Deal," he said. | "I still hope Prime Minister Johnson will not like to go down in history as Mr No Deal," he said. |
"The EU has always been open to co-operation. One thing I will not co-operate on is a no deal. | "The EU has always been open to co-operation. One thing I will not co-operate on is a no deal. |
"We are willing to listen to ideas that are operational, realistic and acceptable to all EU member states." | "We are willing to listen to ideas that are operational, realistic and acceptable to all EU member states." |
'All signs point to a no-deal Brexit' | |
Analysis by BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale | |
When Boris Johnson met President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Angela Merkel this week, he got a relatively positive response. | |
Both leaders indicated they were willing to listen to any ideas the prime minister may have to avoid a no-deal Brexit. | |
But Mr Johnson's meeting with Donald Tusk at the G7 summit on Sunday may now prove more problematic. | |
The spat between both men - both of them warning they could go down in history as Mr No Deal - shows that both sides are engaged in a blame game. | |
Neither side wishes to be seen as the intransigent partner in a negotiation that leads to no deal. | |
Mr Macron and Ms Merkel were implicit in this, while Mr Tusk was explicit, prompting an equally blunt response from Mr Johnson. | |
It is, of course, still possible that some political space may be carved out to allow for a compromise at the last minute. But all the signs still point towards a no-deal Brexit at the end of October. | |
The G7 summit - a get-together of most of the leaders of the world's largest economies - comes with just over two months until the UK is scheduled to leave the EU at the end of October. | The G7 summit - a get-together of most of the leaders of the world's largest economies - comes with just over two months until the UK is scheduled to leave the EU at the end of October. |
Mr Johnson wants to renegotiate the Irish backstop - a key Brexit sticking point - but the EU has consistently ruled this out. | Mr Johnson wants to renegotiate the Irish backstop - a key Brexit sticking point - but the EU has consistently ruled this out. |
Speaking on Saturday, Mr Johnson said: "We've made it very clear we won't be instituting any kind of checks or controls at the Northern Irish border. We don't think such controls are necessary. | |
"There are a large range of alternative arrangements - these we will be discussing in the coming weeks." | |
If implemented, the backstop - a last resort should the UK and the EU not agree a trade deal after Brexit - would see Northern Ireland staying aligned to some rules of the EU single market. | If implemented, the backstop - a last resort should the UK and the EU not agree a trade deal after Brexit - would see Northern Ireland staying aligned to some rules of the EU single market. |
It would also see the UK stay in a single customs territory with the EU, and align with current and future EU rules on competition and state aid. | It would also see the UK stay in a single customs territory with the EU, and align with current and future EU rules on competition and state aid. |
At a news conference on Wednesday with Mr Johnson, German Chancellor Merkel suggested an alternative to the backstop might be achievable, adding that the onus was on the UK. | |
But the next day French President Macron said the backstop was "indispensable" to preserving political stability and the single market. | |
After visiting his counterparts in Paris and Berlin this week, Mr Johnson said there was "new mood music", but reaching a new deal would not be "a cinch". | After visiting his counterparts in Paris and Berlin this week, Mr Johnson said there was "new mood music", but reaching a new deal would not be "a cinch". |
He has insisted the UK will leave the EU on 31 October, whether or not a new deal is reached. | He has insisted the UK will leave the EU on 31 October, whether or not a new deal is reached. |
Mr Johnson will also meet with US President Donald Trump, who arrived in France around Saturday lunchtime. | Mr Johnson will also meet with US President Donald Trump, who arrived in France around Saturday lunchtime. |