BREXIT DEAL ‘POSSIBLE’ AS TALKS INTENSIFY
That’s Brussels jargon for an in-depth phase of secret talks with the elite of our negotiators
By Sam Blewett Pound rose for second day as optimism rose
BREXIT negotiations will now enter the ‘tunnel’ phase of intensive and secretive negotiations, following the talks between Leo Varadkar and Boris Johnson on Thursday.
The accelerated negotiations were agreed by the EU27 after a ‘constructive meeting’ between the bloc’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, and Britain’s Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay in Brussels yesterday.
The British prime minister has so far declined to say what concessions he has made but said ‘under no circumstances’ would he agree to a deal that damages the ability of all of the UK to ‘take full advantage’ of Brexit.
He also cautioned that it is not yet a ‘done deal’, adding: ‘There’s a way to go. It’s important now that our negotiators on both sides get into proper talks about how to sort this thing out.’
The pound rose for the second day on international money markets, as traders welcomed signs that a Brexit deal may be possible.
Meanwhile, European Council president Donald Tusk handed Mr Johnson a last-minute reprieve to secure an agreement, but warned that the UK still has not presented a ‘workable, realistic proposal’.
Mr Barclay and Mr Barnier were dispatched after face-to-face discussions between the Taoiseach and the prime minister in England, prompting the leaders to ‘see a pathway’ to a possible agreement.
Both camps hailed yesterday morning’s discussions as ‘constructive’ and Mr Barnier went on to meet the EU27 ambassadors who, the European Commission said, agreed to ‘intensify discussions over the coming days’.
This takes the negotiations into ‘the tunnel’, which is Brussels jargon for an in-depth phase of talks among a select group of negotiators designed to minimise leaks. While the talks were going on, Mr Tusk offered Mr Johnson some positivity but revealed that he had threatened the British prime minister with publicly announcing that he had exhausted all opportunities of securing a deal by the crucial EU summit on October 17 and 18.
But he ruled out making that declaration, offering to hold out for the ‘slightest chance’ of success, after speaking to Mr Varadkar. ‘I have received promising signals from the Taoiseach that a deal is still possible,’ Mr Tusk said.
‘Of course there is no guarantee of success and the time is practically up but even the slightest chance must be used.’ A while later, Mr Barnier hailed the ‘constructive’ talks with Mr Barclay.
Mr Barnier compared the UK’s departure from the European Union to climbing a mountain, stressing the need for ‘determination and patience’. A statement from the British government also described the Barclay-Barnier meeting as ‘constructive’.
The meeting between Mr Johnson and Mr Varadkar came after a week of acrimonious exchanges between London, Dublin and Brussels signalled the talks were close to collapse. Anonymous Downing Street sources even tried to blame the Taoiseach and accused Mr Varadkar of backtracking on previous commitments to try to find a deal, and of refusing to negotiate.
No.10 sources claimed the EU was making it ‘essentially impossible’ to leave with a deal, after a phone call between Mr Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday.
However, the mood significantly shifted after the meeting between the two leaders.
The change prompted speculation of a compromise on the backstop, which was set up to prevent a hard border returning to the island of Ireland.
The Taoiseach said a deal was possible after more than two hours of talks but warned that ‘there’s many a slip between cup and lip’.
He refused to be drawn on any ‘concessions’ made by either side, while British government sources would not comment on press reports suggesting ‘significant movement’ by London.
The British prime minister must return from the crucial summit of heads of government with a deal he can get past MPs by October 19, if he is not to face demands to comply with the Benn Act.
This would see him asking for a Brexit extension to the end of January, but he has said he would rather be ‘dead in a ditch’ than request a delay.
Despite saying he will abide by the law, Mr Johnson has said he will leave by the October 31 deadline ‘come what may’.
British government sources have said ministers are preparing to hold an emergency Saturday sitting of parliament on October 19.