[Strasbourg 18th Reuters]-Commissioner Junker of the European Commission said on the 18th that Britain had agreed with the EU on the 18th that it would still be possible to make an agreement to ensure that the UK's withdrawal from the European Union (EU) would proceed smoothly. The risk of leaving without agreement was also expressed as “very realistic”.
Junker said at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg: “There is little time left. (John Johnson, UK) Prime Minister wants an agreement but says he will leave it with or without an agreement " “The risk of disengagement without agreement is very real,” he said.
Chairman Junker met with Prime Minister Johnson in Luxembourg on the 16th.
Yunker also reiterated his view that the British government must make a realistic proposal to replace the “backstop” on the Irish border issue. “I don't have a passion for Irish backstop,” he explained, “I asked (Prime Johnson) to make a written alternative”.
Barnier, EU senior negotiator at the UK exit, points out that many of the issues surrounding EU citizenship, the Irish border, and the UK's obligations on the EU long-term budget will not be resolved without an agreement. “If the UK leaves without an agreement, these problems will not disappear and will remain.”