Give us Brexit clarity or risk constant talks, Juncker tells May

The European commission president has warned Theresa May that Brussels urgently needs her “broad suggestions” on the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU to be turned into workable solutions.

Jean-Claude Juncker used a speech in the European parliament to appeal for May’s “wishes”, sketched out in her Mansion House speech on 2 March, to be turned into an achievable blueprint and reiterated that the EU will stand by its “backstop” plan to keep Northern Ireland under EU law to avoid a hard border with the Irish Republic.

The danger, Juncker claimed, was that the prime minister’s goal of an “enduring” Brexit agreement would not be met, and the UK would be locked in constant and destabilising negotiations with Brussels for many years to come.

His warning came as a leaked copy of the latest draft of the withdrawal agreement, including the provisions on Northern Ireland, revealed no weakening of the EU position.

The new text now includes a reassurance to the UK that Brussels will not seek to damage British economic interests during the transition period.

Source: theguardian