EU, UK Find Solution To Avoid Post-Brexit Hard Border On Island Of Ireland - Barnier

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th November, 2018) EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Wednesday that Brussels and London had reached an agreement, as part of their draft Brexit deal, which ensures that there will be no hard border on the island of Ireland after the UK withdrawal from the European Union.

"We have now found a solution together with the UK to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland ... This backstop solution has evolved considerably from the original EU proposal from February of this year. Over the last few weeks, we have worked with the UK on the basis of their proposal," Barnier told a press conference.

The two sides to the talks have agreed to create an EU-UK single customs territory with Northern Ireland remaining within this area just like the rest of the United Kingdom, according to Barnier. Moreover, Northern Ireland will be aligned to the rules of the single market that are essential for avoiding the hard border, which means that the EU Customs Code will be applied to this region.

London and Brussels had also agreed on an outline of a political statement serving as a basis for a potential agreement on future partnership.

"Our objective is to abolish customs duties and quotas for all goods based on what we propose in the withdrawal agreement as a single customs territory," the diplomat added.

"This evening, we have just published with the government of the United Kingdom a full draft agreement on the orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom, as agreed by the negotiators on both sides ... Tonight, it's a crucial step for the orderly withdrawal ... As an EU negotiator, I consider that we have achieved decisive progress," Barnier pointed out.