Boost for Boris Johnson as EU agrees to 'intensify' Brexit negotiations
2 min read
EU bosses have agreed to intensify talks aimed at agreeing a Brexit deal in time for a crunch summit next week.
In a major boost for Boris Johnson, the European Commission gave the green light for negotiators to enter the so-called "tunnel", where details of a potential agreement are thrashed out by both sides.
The breakthrough followed talks on Friday morning between Michel Barnier, the EU's top negotiator, and Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay.
Following the two-hour meeting, Mr Barnier was given the green light by EU ambassadors for the pace to be stepped up.
UK and EU officials will now work through the weekend in an attempt to agree a form of words which can be presented to the European Council summit on 17 and 18 October.
At that gathering, the 28 national leaders will be asked to either accept or reject the new-look deal.
In a statement, the European Commission said: "The EU and the UK have agreed to intensify discussions over the coming days.
"The EU's position remains the same: there must be a legally operative solution in the Withdrawal Agreement that avoids a hard border on the island of Ireland, protects the all-Ireland economy and the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement in all its dimensions and safeguards the integrity of the single market.
"The Commission will take stock with the European Parliament and member states again on Monday."
The flurry of activity came after "positive" talks on Thursday between the Prime Minister and Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
Downing Street has refused to comment on reports that Mr Johnson made further concessions in the hope of getting a deal over the line before the 31 October Brexit deadline.
Under proposals tabled by the PM last week, regulatory checks would be introduced on manufactured goods travelling between Northern Ireland and Britain.
Customs checks would also be introduced between Northern Ireland and Ireland, although any physical checks would be carried out away from the border and would not require the construction of any infrastructure.
In addition, the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont would be given a vote every four years on whether it wanted to remain aligned to the EU's customs rules.
The plans were widely rejected by the EU and Irish government, leading to speculation that Mr Johnson had watered them down further in an attempt to get an agreement.
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