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Brexit: Talks 'should not be a pretence' warns Barnier

The UK and EU “should not pretend to be negotiating” a Brexit deal if there are no new proposals on the table, the EU’s chief negotiator has said.

Michel Barnier said the UK telling the EU what it does not like about the current agreement was “not enough”.

He cast doubt on two ideas put forward by the UK – a single all-Ireland zone for agriculture and livestock and a Northern Irish veto over EU rules.

Boris Johnson has said there is a “landing zone” for an agreement.

He has said a deal is possible at a crucial summit of EU leaders on 17 October – although ministers have said they are reluctant to reveal the details of new proposals in advance for fear they will be “rubbished” by the EU.

Mr Johnson has insisted he will not accept a further delay beyond 31 October despite MPs passing a law requiring him to seek an extension if there is no deal by 19 October.

After meeting Mr Barnier and Mr Juncker in Luxembourg on Monday, Mr Johnson said the process of trying to get a deal on the terms of exit would be accelerated.

‘Not enough’

Briefing the European Parliament, Mr Juncker said the lunch had been “friendly and constructive” but there had been no progress on the main sticking point – the UK’s demand that the Northern Irish backstop should be removed from the current agreement.

Mr Juncker said any alternative to the backstop must achieve the same objectives – to prevent the need for physical infrastructure on the border with the Republic of Ireland, to safeguard the EU’s single market and protect all-Ireland economic co-operation.

Boris Johnson and Jean-Claude Juncker
Image captionThe prime minister and Mr Juncker held a working lunch on Monday

“I said to Mr Johnson that I have no emotional attachment to the backstop but I stand by the objectives it is intended to achieve,” he said.

“That is why I called on the PM to come forward with operational proposals in writing, practical steps that would allow us to achieve those objectives.

“Until such time those proposals have been presented, I will not be able to tell you looking you straight in the eye that any real progress has been achieved.”

Mr Barnier said the UK had made it clear which parts of the backstop – which would see Northern Ireland closely tied to the single market and the UK follow EU customs rules until a new trade deal is agreed – it did not like, but “that is not enough to move towards a solution”.

Twitter post by @adamfleming: Main messages from @JunckerEU & @MichelBarnier in Strasbourg  EU won't ditch Ireland, @BorisJohnson plan for "Stormont lock" is not acceptable, reducing level playing field commitments for future relationship is bad idea, customs union is still available to Johnson's opponents.
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