Irish Prime Minister Says 'many Issues' Unresolved In Brexit Talks
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published October 16, 2019 | 06:36 PM
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Wednesday said he remained hopeful Britain would secure a deal to leave the EU, but sticking points remained as the deadline for a deal loomed
"I am convinced that all parties are serious about getting an agreement by the end of this month," he said after a phone call with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
"There is a pathway to a possible deal but there are many issues that still need to be resolved." In London, a spokesman for Johnson said there had been progress in late-night talks in Brussels, which resumed Wednesday morning, "but there is more work still to do".
Britain is hoping to leave the European Union on October 31 but is still discussing its exit terms with the bloc, and is running out of time.
If EU leaders do not approve a deal at a summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, Johnson is required by British law to ask to delay Brexit -- something he has repeatedly vowed not to do.
The key stumbling block has long been how to manage the border between EU member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland after Brexit.
Both sides are keen to avoid the reintroduction of border infrastructure, which could risk reigniting violence between pro-Irish republicans and UK-supporting unionists after more than 20 years of peace.
But London wants the entire UK -- including Northern Ireland -- to leave the EU's customs union, suggesting there must be customs checks somewhere on goods crossing between north and south.
Any deal agreed with the EU must pass the House of Commons, where Johnson's Conservatives do not have a majority.
The premier was due to meet with his Northern Irish allies, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), for the third time in three days on Wednesday.
Brexit minister Steve Barclay meanwhile confirmed the government would abide by a law requiring it to request a Brexit delay if no deal is reached by Saturday.
"The government will comply with the law," he told a committee of MPs, while adding that "it is important that we leave on October 31".
If a deal is agreed in Brussels, EU leaders would still need time to digest the contents of what will be an extremely complex legal text.
MPs in London would then have to sign off on the plan in a special sitting on Saturday, to avoid triggering a delay.
While some experts think there is support for a deal, few are optimistic it can be done in the next three days.
"Getting an agreement through on Saturday is very, very difficult," said Meg Russell, a constitutional expert at University College London.
"We're looking at an extension, come what may."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Saka and Odegaard start for Arsenal, Guerreiro in Bayern midfield
Qatar PM says re-evaluating Israel-Hamas mediation role
Govt spokesperson terms allegations of PTI's Marwat against Saudi Arabia 'heinou ..
Minister appreciate UAE’s support for Pakistan economic challenges
Manchester City v Real Madrid Champions League starting line-ups
MIGA's support Pakistan in attracting foreign investments: Federal Minister for ..
Walker returns to captain Man City for Real Madrid clash
Action taken against price list violations in Khanewal district
DC chairs review meeting of DEG
Turkey accuses Israel's Netanyahu of using war 'to stay in power'
Pakistan ranked 5th most vulnerable country to climate change. Tirmizi
Nadal comeback ends in Barcelona Open second round
More Stories From World
-
EU weighs response to Russian 'interference' in election runup
5 hours ago -
Going 'backwards'? Whistleblowers slam Boeing safety culture
5 hours ago -
US to reimpose oil sanctions on Venezuela: officials
5 hours ago -
NBA bans Raptors forward Jontay Porter for life over gambling violations
5 hours ago -
20,000 rally in Georgia as MPs advance controversial 'foreign influence' law
6 hours ago -
Scholz urges other EU leaders to send Ukraine air defences
6 hours ago
-
No end in sight to Libya crisis after UN envoy quits
6 hours ago -
Ecuador tells workers to stay home amid energy crisis
7 hours ago -
Mayorkas impeachment trial begins in US Senate
7 hours ago -
House Republicans finally announce vote for $61 bn in Ukraine aid
7 hours ago -
Qatar PM says re-evaluating Israel-Hamas mediation role
7 hours ago -
Turkey accuses Israel's Netanyahu of using war 'to stay in power'
8 hours ago