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Brexit: EU and UK 'share common purpose' | |
(34 minutes later) | |
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has said the UK and EU share a "common purpose" in reaching a new withdrawal deal, after a meeting in Brussels with chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier. | |
He added that Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker were "clear" that was what they wanted. | |
The commission said it was "open" to proposals from the UK. | |
The deadline for the UK to exit the EU is 31 October. | |
On Thursday, Mr Juncker said a new Brexit deal could still be reached by then. | |
Mr Johnson said some "progress" was being made, although it was important not to "exaggerate" this. | |
But Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney told the BBC on Friday that there was a "wide gap" between the UK and the EU, with Brussels "still waiting for serious proposals" from London. | |
The backstop - the policy aimed at preventing the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland after Brexit - has proved the biggest point of contention in EU-UK talks so far, | |
It was a major sticking point in former Prime Minister Theresa May's attempts to get Parliament to back her withdrawal agreement, which was rejected three times by MPs. | It was a major sticking point in former Prime Minister Theresa May's attempts to get Parliament to back her withdrawal agreement, which was rejected three times by MPs. |
Mr Johnson, who has said he wants to leave the EU - preferably with a deal - by the current deadline of 31 October, has urged the EU to scrap the backstop. | Mr Johnson, who has said he wants to leave the EU - preferably with a deal - by the current deadline of 31 October, has urged the EU to scrap the backstop. |
But the EU has asked for detailed alternative proposals. | |
Following the latest meeting, Mr Barclay said: "We both want to see a deal." | |
He added that "a clear message has been given both by President Juncker and the prime minister". | |
Mr Barclay also said both sides were "working hard on that". | |
The European Commission issued a statement, saying Mr Barnier and Mr Barclay had discussed the "state of play" on Brexit. | |
It added: "It is essential that there is a fully workable and legally operational solution included in the withdrawal agreement. We remain willing and open to examine any such proposals that meet all the objectives of the backstop." | |
The prime minister has said the UK needs to leave in a way that allows it to "do things differently" and "not remain under the control of the EU, in terms of laws and trade policy". | |
But he also reiterated the need to ensure no hard border returned to Northern Ireland, and the Good Friday Agreement - which helped bring an end to the Troubles - was protected. | But he also reiterated the need to ensure no hard border returned to Northern Ireland, and the Good Friday Agreement - which helped bring an end to the Troubles - was protected. |
On Thursday, the UK government said confidential documents that "reflect the ideas the UK has put forward" on Brexit had been shared with the EU. | On Thursday, the UK government said confidential documents that "reflect the ideas the UK has put forward" on Brexit had been shared with the EU. |
This happened after Finland's prime minister said Mr Johnson had 12 days to set out his Brexit plans to the EU - although a government source said the development was not in response to those remarks. | This happened after Finland's prime minister said Mr Johnson had 12 days to set out his Brexit plans to the EU - although a government source said the development was not in response to those remarks. |
Mr Johnson will hold more talks with European leaders at a UN summit in New York next week. | Mr Johnson will hold more talks with European leaders at a UN summit in New York next week. |
Thursday saw the final day of the legal battle over Mr Johnson's decision to prorogue - suspend - Parliament at the UK's Supreme Court. | Thursday saw the final day of the legal battle over Mr Johnson's decision to prorogue - suspend - Parliament at the UK's Supreme Court. |
Its president, Lady Hale, promised a decision early next week. | Its president, Lady Hale, promised a decision early next week. |