Brexit Deal : E.U To Decide This Week

The European Union will by the end of this week decide whether a Brexit deal is going to be possible. The announcement was made by French President Emmanuel Macron after a telephone conversation with British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. A French Government official said President Macron told Mr. Johnson "that negotiations should continue swiftly in order to evaluate at the end of the week whether a deal is possible that respects European Union principles". Both parties have been trying to find a new agreement in time for a summit of European leaders on 17 and 18 October, 2019. Over the weekend, Mr Johnson said the EU should not be "lured" into thinking there will be a delay to Brexit beyond 31 October even though the law requires him to request for delay if a deal is not agreed by 19 October. Yesterday, Mr Johnson's Europe adviser, David Frost, was expected to hold further discussions with the European Commission, while Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay visits EU capitals. Arrangements for preventing a hard border on the island of Ireland continue to be a sticking point, with the EU calling for "fundamental changes" to the UK's latest proposals. Under the Benn Act, passed last month, the Prime Minister must write to the EU requesting a Brexit extension if no deal is signed by Parliament by 19 October, unless MPs agree to a no-deal Brexit.

According to Mr Johnson's proposals, which he calls a "broad landing zone" for a new deal with the European Union, Northern Ireland ...