The European Union negotiator on the United Kingdom's exit from the EU, Michel Barnier, on Wednesday 23 January at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), renewed the Twenty-seven's offer to renegotiate the future post-Brexit bilateral relationship.
On the other hand, he reiterated that the "insurance policy" - represented by the backstop to prevent the return of a physical border between Ireland and Northern Ireland in the absence of a free trade agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom - would not be renegotiated.
While the Commission spokesman had considered that an exit without an EU agreement would obviously imply a "physical border" on the island of Ireland (see EUROPE 12177), the EU negotiator called for caution and insisted that the EU would do everything possible to avoid the return of a past situation.
However, in the event of ‘no deal’ Brexit, the EU will show "the same solidarity" with Ireland, and the United Kingdom will have "a serious responsibility to find a solution to the border issue on the island of Ireland", Mr Barnier warned.
Despite the short time available between now and 29 March, the date scheduled for the British withdrawal, he trusted British leader Theresa May and the British Parliament to secure a positive majority in the United Kingdom for an orderly Brexit. Because, he noted, "opposition to the ‘no deal’ will not stop the ‘no deal’ at the end of March". And to reject any attempt to "negotiate mini-deals" that would allow the United Kingdom to retain the benefits of EU membership. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)