EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier says 'there is still a lot of work to be done' before a Brexit deal can be reached with the British government regarding the departure from the EU. Barnier updated EU ambassadors on Sunday about his "constructive" technical-level talks with the United Kingdom.
The talks continue on Monday. Barnier will brief the EU ministers for European Affairs on Tuesday in Luxembourg about the current state of affairs.
London and Brussels decided on Friday to intensify talks after it appeared that the British had reached some form of agreement with neighboring Ireland. The pressure is high to make progress ahead of the EU summit later this week.
There was some optimism from both sides that an agreement could be reached. At the same time, the EU insists on the necessity to avoid a hard border in Ireland and to maintain the integrity of the European single market.
Time is running out, as a deal in principle must be reached before next Thursday to be presented to the leaders of the European countries. If the leaders approve a deal at the EU summit on October 17, it would also need to pass the House of Commons. However, Johnson does not have a majority there and is heavily dependent on the support of the Northern Irish regional party DUP.
If a Brexit deal is not reached next week, Johnson faces a law passed earlier this month by the British parliament. This law requires Johnson to request an extension for Brexit if no deal for an orderly departure by October 31 is reached this week.
Johnson has publicly stated that he would rather have a no-deal Brexit on October 31 than a Brexit extension. Should extension become necessary, there is a strong likelihood that the British will head toward new elections.