EU diplomats I speak to view the no10 readout of the conversation between the PM and Angela Merkel as "Boris-on-the-campaign-trail" /1
A diplomat from northern Europe remarks "We have no idea where the UK government wants to go in the next 20 days" ie before the 31 October Brexit deadline. The diplomat said EU still unclear how high getting a Brexit deal comes on PM list of priorities (eg compared to elex) /2
Clear to everyone in EU (not only Angela Merkel!) that risk of no deal is rising again. Either by 31st Oct or even after another Brexit extension. If no deal can be reached, that naturally = no deal but EU still v v v keen on agreement (not exactly news) /3
EU diplomats say there's no meeting in middle over PMs Brexit proposals. They say his offer would either result in customs infrastructure on the island of Ireland which is unacceptable to Dublin OR in EU having a non-controlled customs border which .../4
Which Brussels says would a) lead to smuggling and b) contravene WTO regulations. "If that customs were left open as UK pretty much asks then I would quit my job and start a smuggling enterprise," said an high level EU diplomat this morning /5
Same diplomat said EU objection to UK proposal was practical not political. Said leaving the border open would compromise food safety, safety of children's toys, affecting whole single market and EU reputation amongst other trading partners. "We wont do that" said diplomat /6
He added that the EU would therefore take its cue from Ireland as to how many checks/controls Dublin could stomach on the island of Ireland. "What is ok for Dublin, would be ok for the rest of us" said the diplomat /7
Diplomat added that EU "cant be bullied" into accepting PMs customs proposals. It wld be easier with money, he said. Both sides can haggle and reach agreement BUT cant meet in middle over food safety. If EU did, he said.. /7
Then anything coming from Ireland into the rest of the single market "would be regarded with suspicion, thereby "ending the single market". Its not a compromise we can make," he said /8
An EU diplomat from country traditionally close to UK did concede the EU would be open to having 2 customs regimes on the island of Ireland "but only if it works" /8
