- Title: Barnier says UK proposals mark progress, but more work needed
- Date: 2nd October 2019
- Summary: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (OCTOBER 2, 2019) (REUTERS) EUROPEAN UNION CHIEF BREXIT NEGOTIATOR, MICHEL BARNIER, ARRIVING FOR MEETING WITH THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT'S BREXIT STEERING GROUP CAMERAMAN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (English) EU CHIEF BREXIT NEGOTIATOR, MICHEL BARNIER, SAYING: "We received a legal proposal. There is progress. But to be frank, a lot of work still needs to be done to reach and to fulfil the three objectives of the backstop: no border, all-Ireland economy, and protecting the single market. That means protecting the consumers, the citizens, and the businesses inside the single market, the 27 member states. So now we will continue to work, to work to reach a deal. The no-deal will never be the choice of the EU. Never. So, we will continue to reach a deal and to work with the UK team. But a deal which respects and fulfils the three commitments, the three proposals - the backstop, just as I mentioned - in a legally operative manner and respecting the mandate given to the Commission by the European Council and by the Parliament." BARNIER ENTERING BREXIT STEERING GROUP MEETING BARNIER MEETING OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BREXIT STEERING GROUP INSIDE MEETING ROOM, INCLUDING FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE EU PARLIAMENT ANTONIO TAJANI BARNIER WALKING TO HIS SEAT IN MEETING ROOM BARNIER AND BREXIT STEERING GROUP MEMBER, GUY VERHOFSTADT, TALKING DOOR TO BREXIT STEERING GROUP MEETING CLOSING
- Embargoed: 16th October 2019 18:22
- Keywords: UK backstop Brexit EU progress Michl Barnier Britain European Union island of Ireland United Kingdom proposal Boris Johnson
- Location: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
- City: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
- Country: Belgium
- Topics: European Union,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001AZEP2RR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Wednesday (October 2) that new proposals from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson marked progress but lots of work was still needed for a new Brexit deal to be agreed.
Speaking ahead of a meeting with the European Parliament's Brexit Steering Committee, Barnier insisted that any withdrawal agreement should fulfil the three objectives of the backstop: "no border, all-Ireland economy, and protecting the single market".
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told British Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a phone call that the EU's executive would examine the legal text objectively and in light of the bloc's "well-known criteria," it said in a statement.
(Production Bart Biesemans, Jorrit Donner-Wittkopf) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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