United Kingdom and Gibraltar European Union membership referendum
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It was a working lunch between Boris Johnson and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, which was not expected to be much. And in the end Johnson also canceled his joint statement with the Luxembourg head of government Xavier Bettel in front of the press.
The short-term cancellation justified the British Prime Minister with protest noise. "I think our views may have gone down," Johnson told reporters at the British Embassy. Before and after the meeting with Bettel, Juncker and other EU representatives Johnson had continued to be booed.
At the press conference, which Bettel had to hold alone, he said in the direction of the absent Johnson, who should "not put the EU as the bad boy". The continuing uncertainty about the timing and conditions of the EU's exit was a "nightmare".
Nonetheless, Johnson remained confident that an agreement could still be reached on leaving the EU. But it needs to move from the EU, he said, inter alia, the BBC. Otherwise, he wants to resign without a deal on 31 October.
"Suggestions have not been made yet"
Earlier, Juncker and Johnson talked about salmon, snails and cheese about Brexit. After that, the EU Commission stated that it was up to the UK to put forward proposals that would be viable and compatible with the exit agreement that had already been reached, Juncker pointed out. "Such proposals have not yet been made."
The EU Commission will remain available around the clock, it said. In the process, the EU summit on 17 and 18 October will be an important milestone. The 27 remaining EU countries remained united, emphasized Juncker. He will report to the European Parliament on Wednesday in Strasbourg.
Johnson wants to enforce changes to the EU exit agreement until the summit, which the EU rejects so far. If no agreement is reached, Johnson is threatened with an unregulated Brexit on 31 October - even though the British Parliament does not want a no-deal.
A Johnson spokesman spoke of "a constructive meeting" with Juncker. "The Prime Minister has also reiterated that he will not request an extension and that the United Kingdom will leave the EU on 31 October."
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