The EU's chief negotiator for the United Kingdom's exit from the EU, Michel Barnier, expressed the hope, during a trip to Luxembourg on Monday 11 February, alongside Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, that the new discussions planned for the same evening in Brussels with the British government would make it possible to "find a solution" to the current impasse (see EUROPE 12189).
Michel Barnier was scheduled to meet the British Minister for Brexit, Stephen Barclay, at 8 p.m. in Brussels and said he was ready to listen to "all the ideas" he would put forward, but within the limits already known. “We will have new discussions, but we will not do so by reopening the withdrawal agreement”, he repeated. The EU negotiator reiterated the readiness of the Twenty-seven to rework the political declaration, if the United Kingdom were to be "more ambitious" in this respect, and also expressed its interest in the letter that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has sent to Theresa May in recent days.
An “interesting letter, in tone and substance”, said the EU negotiator. This letter, to which Ms May replied over the weekend, refers to Labour's willingness to work on a compromise with Ms May and in particular to maintaining the country in a temporary customs union. Ms May accepted this dialogue with the opposition. "Something must move" in the United Kingdom, Michel Barnier reiterated, insisting that it is only in the United Kingdom that a solution can be found. The Prime Minister of Luxembourg agreed with this same line, saying he was ready to listen to "the complaints of the British Government" and to provide "clarifications", but Xavier Bettel noted the "fundamental deficiencies" in the arguments of the Brexit supporters, who can only say "no, no, no", but have still not submitted any alternatives.
The Luxembourger also expressed his annoyance at the criticism that the Twenty-seven were determined to scupper the discussions. It was in London that Brexit began, and that's where the solutions must be found", added Mr Bettel. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)