“The backstop is not a theoretical matter, but an important point for the defence of the social and economic interests of the European Union,” Michel commented.
The British parliament on Tuesday evening approved two amendments to a draft Brexit deal that British Prime Minister negotiated last month with the EU 27. One of the amendments requires May to renegotiate the issue of the Irish backstop, which should avoid the re-establishment of a border between the two Irelands if a new trade deal is not worked out between the two sides.
However, European Council President Donald Tusk made it clear that there was no question of re-discussing the compromise reached last month, a position reiterated by Prime Minister Michel.
“The British need to be realistic,” Michel said. “We renegotiated a deal, and it’s a good deal, the best possible deal. I do not have the impression that it is realistic to believe that the twenty-seven other member States will stop defending Europe’s economic and social interests in the coming weeks.”
Jason Bennett
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