Brexit Backstop 'Insurance Policy' To Prevent Hard Border On Island Of Ireland - EU

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th December, 2018) The European Council said that the Northern Ireland backstop under the UK withdrawal deal was intended as an insurance policy aimed at preventing the establishment of a hard border on the island of Ireland.

"The European Council underlines that the backstop is intended as an insurance policy to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland and ensure the integrity of the Single Market. It is the Union's firm determination to work speedily on a subsequent agreement that establishes by 31 December 2020 alternative arrangements, so that the backstop will not need to be triggered," the European Council said in EU27 Brexit summit conclusions.

"The European Council also underlines that, if the backstop were nevertheless to be triggered, it would apply temporarily, unless and until it is superseded by a subsequent agreement that ensures that a hard border is avoided," the conclusions added.

Brussels said that in this case, it would be ready to conclude a subsequent agreement replacing the backstop to make sure that the measure is in place "for as long as strictly necessary," adding it expected the same from London.