London To Continue No-Deal Brexit Preparations Amid 'Impasse' In Talks With EU - May

LONDON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st September, 2018) UK Prime Minister Theresa May announced on Friday that London would continue preparations for a no-deal Brexit after the EU informal summit in Salzburg failed to produce a compromise on the format of post-Brexit economic partnership and the Irish border.

Brexit was one of central issues of the two-day meeting of the EU heads of state and government, which kicked off in the Austrian city of Salzburg on Wednesday.

"We must and will continue the work of preparing ourselves for no deal. In particular, I want to clarify our approach to two issues. First, there are over 3 million EU citizens living in the UK ... I want to be clear with you that even in the event of no deal your rights will be protected ... We want you to stay. Second, I want to reassure the people of Northern Ireland that in the event of no deal we will do everything in our power to prevent a return to a hard border .

.. I will not overturn the result of the referendum. Nor will I break up my country," May said after the meeting, as quoted by her press service.

According to May, the European Union's rejection of the Chequers Brexit plan has led the sides into an "impasse," while Brussels' options for the United Kingdom - either staying in the European Economic Area and a customs union or a basic free trade agreement with Northern Ireland remaining in the Customs Union - are completely unacceptable for London.

Meanwhile, May reiterated that "no one wants a good deal more than me."

According to the so-called Chequers plan, adopted by the UK cabinet in July, the two parties could create a free trade area for goods and maintain a "common rulebook" for all goods. Brussels, however, rejected the proposal as undermining the single market.