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Brexit talks nearing moment of truth, says Barclay Brexit: UK 'planning concrete proposals'
(32 minutes later)
Stephen Barclay has said Brexit talks are nearing the "moment of truth" following a meeting in Brussels with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier. The UK government is planning to put out "concrete proposals" for reaching a Brexit deal with the EU within the next few weeks, the BBC understands.
The UK was "committed to securing a deal" but there had to be "political will on both sides" and the backstop "has to go", the Brexit secretary said. Brussels correspondent Adam Fleming said it was expected they would be revealed after next week's Tory conference but in time for scrutiny ahead of the EU summit on 17 October.
Mr Barnier told Mr Barclay a deal must include a solution to prevent a hard Irish border, it was reported. Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said the "moment of truth" was approaching.
BBC Brussels correspondent Adam Fleming described the mood as "downbeat". The UK is currently due to leave the EU on 31 October.
He said European diplomats thought the chances of finalising a new Brexit deal by a crucial EU summit on 17 October were "dwindling". Prime Minister Boris Johnson says this will happen whether or not there is a new deal with Brussels - but adds that he would prefer leaving with a deal.
The UK is scheduled to leave the EU on 31 October, although MPs have passed a law requiring Prime Minister Boris Johnson to seek an extension to that deadline from the bloc if he is unable to pass a deal in Parliament, or get MPs to approve a no-deal Brexit, by 19 October. However, MPs have passed a law requiring Mr Johnson to seek an extension to the deadline from the bloc if he is unable to pass a deal in Parliament, or get MPs to approve a no-deal Brexit, by 19 October.
"I think there is still a long way to go. I think we are coming to the moment of truth in these negotiations," Mr Barclay said after Friday's talks. Mr Barclay held talks with the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, on Friday, telling the BBC afterwards: "I think there is still a long way to go. I think we are coming to the moment of truth in these negotiations.
"We are committed to securing a deal. The prime minister has made clear he wants a deal, but there has to be political will on both sides and that's what we are exploring.""We are committed to securing a deal. The prime minister has made clear he wants a deal, but there has to be political will on both sides and that's what we are exploring."
He said he had made "clear" that for a deal to happen "the backstop has to go". The biggest obstacle to a deal is the backstop - the plan to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.
The policy is unacceptable to many Conservative MPs, and Mr Johnson has insisted a revised Brexit deal must include the abolition of the backstop. The policy - agreed to by former PM Theresa May in her withdrawal deal with the EU, which was rejected three times by Parliament - is unacceptable to many Conservative MPs.
The European Commission said Mr Barnier had stressed to Mr Barclay during the meeting that it was "essential" there was a "fully operational solution in the withdrawal agreement to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, protect the all-island economy and the integrity of the single market". But the European Commission said Mr Barnier had stressed to Mr Barclay during the meeting that it was "essential" there was a "fully operational solution in the withdrawal agreement to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, protect the all-island economy and the integrity of the single market".
"The EU remains open and willing to examine any workable and legally operative proposals that meet all these objectives," a statement issued after the meeting said."The EU remains open and willing to examine any workable and legally operative proposals that meet all these objectives," a statement issued after the meeting said.