British and Irish leaders to meet amid Brexit tensions

LONDON: The British and Irish leaders are meeting to discuss the Irish border and mend fences amid a tense UK-EU standoff over Brexit.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May will dine with Irish premier Leo Varadkar in Dublin to press her case for changes to Britain’s divorce deal with the EU.

Britain’s Parliament rejected the agreement last month,

largely over concerns about a provision designed to ensure an open border between the UK’S Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland. Britain is due to leave the bloc on March 29.

The bid for last-minute changes has exasperated EU

leaders. But the parties have at least agreed to keep talking.

The British and Irish attorneys general are holding talks Friday to see if there is any common ground on the border.