EU could ‘shift its position on the Irish border issue’ to help seal Brexit deal with the UK, MEP says
BRUSSELS is prepared to shift its position on the Irish border to help seal a deal with Britain, a top euro MP has said.
Pole Danuta Hubner, who sits on the EU Parliament’s Brexit group, said eurocrats will offer reassurances a backstop would not split up the UK.
The influential MEP made the remarks after chief negotiator Michel Barnier called for both sides to “de-dramatise” the border issue.
She said: “It has definitely never been the intention of the EU to threaten the territorial integrity of the UK with the backstop.
“A political reassurance of that sort could compliment the backstop from our side.
“Solving the Irish issue is a condition for us to end the negotiations positively.”
most read in politics
Her comments came as German officials announced they are putting in place contingency plans for a no deal Brexit.
Berlin’s finance ministry said it would bring forward a new law designed to minimise disruption in the event of a crash out.
A spokesman said measures would include recruitment of new customs officers to check goods travelling between Britain and Germany after next March.
But two leading parties in Berlin, the Greens and the Left, said Brussels should be prepared to extend negotiations in order to avoid no deal.
- GOT a story? Ring The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or email [email protected].