Barnier on Brexit: ‘A school of patience’
“Brexit is a school of patience,” said Michel Barnier, the EU’s Brexit negotiator, as he opened his press conference on Thursday, writes Mehreen Khan in Brussels.
The one sticking point between the two teams — VAT rules for Northern Ireland — has now been solved, he said.
Confirming that there is no more backstop, he said the consent mechanisms for the new Irish protocol are a “democratic cornerstone”, as the arrangement is no longer to be replaced by a subsequent agreement by the UK and EU, as per Theresa May’s deal.
Mr Barnier remains “cautious” as to whether the deal will pass in the House of Commons but Boris Johnson, UK prime minister, has told his EU counterparts he is “confident” he can get the deal through his parliament, Mr Barnier said.
Mr Barnier added:
I have done my work, our team has done their work.
I fully respect the procedures and the debate. I never intended for us to judge the [House of Commons’] role.
Thursday’s deal, which Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, and Mr Johnson signed off during a phone call this morning, “brings legal certainty everywhere where the separation of Brexit brings uncertainty, above all for the citizens”, Mr Barnier said, reports Jim Brunsden.
Mr Juncker and Mr Johnson will present the deal to EU leaders later today, the EU’s chief negotiator said.
