Brussels, Oct 3: The European Union (EU) has on Wednesday welcomed British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit proposal ahead of Britain’s departure from the bloc, as scheduled on October 31, but however said the differences still remain the same that needed to be bridged in order to secure an arrangement within time limit.
As Brexit negotiator delivered the new Brexit proposals, Johnson held a telephonic conversation with EU head Jean-Claude Juncker, two weeks ahead of a summit with the bloc on Oct 17-19.
“President Juncker welcomed Prime Minister Johnson’s determination to advance the talks ahead of the October European Council and make progress toward a deal,” the Commission said in an official statement afterwards.
“He acknowledged the positive advances… However, the President also noted that there are still some problematic points that will need further work in the coming days,” according to Reuters.
The development marked the change in the EU’s tone after several weeks of UK negotiators putting forth ideas, dismissed by the EU several times over the Irish Backstop deadlock.
However, the bloc also stressed differences remain the same, especially on the proposed custom agreements post Brexit.
“There is progress, but to be frank lots of work still needs to be done to fulfill the three objectives of the backstop: no border, all-Ireland economy and protecting the single market,” the EU’s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier told journalists.
“We will continue to work, work to reach a deal. No-deal will never be the choice of the EU, never. We will continue to work with the UK team.”