NEW: European Commission says Johnson/Von der Leyen meeting is not a forum to negotiate, but to give Barnier and Frost some help
Commission spokes @DanielFerrie: "It's very difficult to speculate what might be the outcome of the meeting which will take place...what is clear is that we're not trying to fix down any kind of definitive framework for negotiations for a meeting between two leaders...
"...that's not where negotiations happen. The meeting will be to try and lift substantial impasses so that then the negotiators can continue their work."
Ferrie says that if there is agreement it will be No Deal from Jan 1. "That does not exclude that negotiations can continue from our side, and it does not exclude that we can continue negotiations on the basis of the mandate that is given to us [ie by member states]
Commission is asked if @michelbarnier would be replaced in the event of fresh negotiations post Jan 1, due to age rule (he will reach 70). @MamerEric says it's the institution which negotiates...
"Yes, there's an age limit which comes into force on his 70th birthday which applies to all EU officials and temporary agents. When it comes to arrangements in terms of the negotiating team it's up to the Commission to decide how it intends to organise things."
"It's obvious in any case the Commission wd continue to have a negotiating team that wd be able to negotiate with the British, but obviously we're not going to speculate on that. We're trying to see if we can wrap up this negotiation before Dec 31."
.@MamerEric says the Johnson/VDL meeting will involve each leader + advisors. Is it last chance saloon? "We are in underchartered territory"
Actually, this remark was from VDL spokes @MamerEric and not @DanielFerrie
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