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EU diplomats were briefed earlier by Michel Barnier's team on latest Brexit talks.
The debrief lasted 15 minutes, because “there was very little to report” per EU source.
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The debrief lasted 15 minutes, because “there was very little to report” per EU source.
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UK came with no new ideas to replace backstop, but wanted to discuss how Stormont could have a say.
In line with Boris Johnson’s slogan about the “undemocratic backstop”.
In line with Boris Johnson’s slogan about the “undemocratic backstop”.
The commission objected to the idea that NI should have a veto over the backstop.
(the backstop comes into effect if two sides run out of time in the search for alternative arrangements during time-limited transition).
(the backstop comes into effect if two sides run out of time in the search for alternative arrangements during time-limited transition).
For EU, request for Stormont approval is the unilateral exit that they have said all along is unacceptable, because then backstop ceases to be all-weather insurance policy guaranteeing legal certainty.
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As these arguments have been had many times before, appears to be concern UK may be playing politics for domestic audience.
“My sense is that they raised this to say ‘look how intransigent they [the EU] are and how undemocratic they are’” says source.
“My sense is that they raised this to say ‘look how intransigent they [the EU] are and how undemocratic they are’” says source.
Now more than halfway through the 30-day “blistering timetable” that Boris Johnson thought Angela Merkel had set.
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Postscript: UK side does not share that account of Friday's meeting. Gov says UK team presented "preliminary ideas on how all-island SPS solutions" could involve consent of all parties. Stress is on alternatives, not changes, to the backstop. Talks continue next week.
