EU's Barnier warns Brexit talks at risk unless Irish border resolved
European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Monday warned that talks on a deal after the UK leaves the bloc were at risk unless a “backstop” solution was found for the Irish border.
Speaking on a two day visit to Ireland, Barnier said a "clear and operational solution” was needed to deal with the border dividing the republic from Northern Ireland.
“Until we reach this agreement and this operational solution for Northern Ireland, a backstop [solution], and we are ready for any proposal … there is a risk, a real risk,” he told reporters.
Irish prime minister, Leo Varadkar, said the UK's Britain’s “approach to negotiations will need to change in some way” in order to reach an agreement.
Ireland's deputy prime minister Simon Coveney said Britain's refusal to make progress could lead to “difficulties” at the next EU council summit in June.
“The British government has red lines all over the place and expects the EU to accommodate them. We have red lines, so does the EU, but nobody seems to focus on that,” he said.
“It is not OK for the British government to rule out a whole series of options and then pretend that somebody, somewhere is going to find a solution to find a way forward. The next move is Britain’s in the negotiations,” he said.