Thread by @nick_gutteridge

Michel Barnier is speaking at @epc_eu this morning, just after MPs yet again failed to agree on a Brexit way forward. Best quotes below 👇

Barnier: 'If the UK still wants to leave the EU in an orderly manner, this agreement is and will be the only one. The only way to avoid a no deal Brexit is and will be through a positive majority.'

Barnier: 'The HoC did not management to find a majority again last night. We've always said we can accept a customs union or our relationship along the style of the Norway model. The Political Declaration can accommodate this today.'

Barnier: 'If the UK Parliament doesn't vote in favour in the coming days only two options remain. Leaving without an agreement or requesting a longer extension of the Article 50 period. It would be the responsibility of the UK Government to choose between these two options.'

Barnier says following last night's deadlocked votes: 'No deal was never our desired or intended scenario. But the EU27 is now prepared. It becomes day after day more likely.'

Barnier on no deal: 'Being prepared for no deal doesn't mean there will be no disruption. Not everything will be smooth. There will be problems. Being prepared means all foreseen problems should be manageable on the EU side.'

Barnier says a long extension 'would carry significant risks for EU therefore strong justification would be needed'. He says 'many businesses in EU warn us against the cost of extending uncertainty'. UK staying in longer also 'could pose a risk on our decision making autonomy'.

Barnier says that during the 2016 referendum 'there was misinformation, there was also a terrible lack of debate on the consequences of leaving behind 45 years of joint projects. There were people who attacked core achievements of the EU such as free movement and EU citizenship'.

Barnier concludes: 'In reality today is no time for regrets. The world is fast outpacing Europe. Europe cannot remain obsessed by the past when the rest of the world is looking to the future. What we do not do for Europe, nobody will do in our place.'

Barnier on the Irish border: 'We're working and looking at operational ways and where we can implement the necessary checks to protect the Single Market. We have to implement everywhere at each and every external border of the EU three types of controls to protect consumers.'

Barnier: 'There's no obligation leaving EU to leave Customs Union, no obligation to leave Single Market. I didn't see the debate about what are the national interests of the UK.' He adds: 'It's not my role to go to the HoC to explain. I'm ready to do that if it would be useful.'

Barnier: 'During any long extension there will be no renegotiation of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, no, never. There will be no negotiation about the future relations we cannot legally speaking negotiate with a Member State about the future relations. It's as simple as that.'

Barnier says: 'We can be much more ambitious for the future relationship. The base would be an FTA plus veterinary, sanitary cooperation plus, if the UK asked for it, a Customs Union or something else.'

Barnier lists three possible justification for a long extension: Organising a new referendum, organising snap elections or because the Commons needs time to look in detail again at the Political Declaration.

Barnier says if there's no deal 'a few months after I'm sure UK will ask EU to begin negotiations' on trade. But warns 'In that case Withdrawal Agreement we put on the table at the beginning of this negotiation will be still here. Citizens rights, Ireland, financial obligations.'

Barnier says he 'still regrets' that UK didn't want his NI specific backstop. Says: 'This proposal has been refused for many reasons & I worked immediately on line of UK proposal, a UK-wide solution. No question for us to oblige UK to be part of Customs Union against its wish.'

Barnier wraps up by saying: 'Jean-Claude Juncker said yesterday the patience of the EU is at the limit. Personally as the negotiator I have some patience left.' ENDS