One EU diplomat says there is "cautious optimism", while another puts emphasis more on cautious than optimism.
EU still awaiting "concrete" details from UK on customs plan say diplomats.
There has been "not enough progress" said one EU diplomat. If UK wants to hammer out new concept on customs for Northern Ireland now "impossible" to do in short time left.
Boris Johnson's 31 October deal option = NI only backstop.
One diplomat notes “complicated starting position for the next round of negotiations - also because there are only a few days left until the European council".