Brussels betrayal: EU takes shot at Boris Johnson’s Brexit strategy – ‘Back where we were’
Mr Johnson has warned the trade bloc throughout his leadership campaign that he will take the UK out of the EU by October 31 with or without a deal. In response, Brussels, has warned the UK that they will not reopen negotiations as it stands firm on the already agreed Brexit deal. According to the BBC, EU officials have insisted that there is no basis for “meaningful discussion” with the UK over Brexit.
One negotiator said: “We are back where we were three years ago.”
Following recent talks with the Brussels, diplomats have told the 27 members states that a no deal scenario will only be avoided by making significant changes to the plan drawn up by Theresa May.
Downing Street recently said that the EU “needed to change its stance” on the current deal between the two.
A spokesperson said: “We will throw ourselves into the negotiations with the greatest energy and the spirit of friendship and we hope the EU will rethink its current refusal to make any changes to the Withdrawal Agreement.
In a recent meeting between officials from the UK and the EU, Mr Johnson’s European envoy, David Frost reiterated that the Irish backstop must be removed from the agreement.
Moreover, in a realisation of Mr Johnson’s intent, one of the EU’s negotiations warned the member states that the G7 summit in France at the end of this month could be the point whereby Brexit is all but confirmed.
Following the meeting, one diplomat said: “Even if the European Union chooses to give up on the backstop, there is no alternative.
“That message has been heard loud and clear by EU capitals, and now reality is sinking in.”
Mr Frost did also tell European Commission officials that the Government favours abolishing the backstop in favour of “alternative arrangements” but admitted any plan would not be ready until after Britain’s exit.
Furthermore, another EU official said: “It is clear that the UK does not have another plan.
“There is no intention to negotiate because that would require a plan.”
Despite those admissions from EU officials, another UK spokesman did add: “We want a friendly and constructive relationship as friends and partners in facing the challenges that lie ahead.
“It will be a relationship based on a deep free trade agreement.”
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