It appears that European and British negotiators see possibilities to still reach an agreement on a British departure from the EU. The team of EU negotiator Michel Barnier will sit at the negotiating table with the British in the coming days to discuss new proposals made by London.
"Whether there is light at the end of the tunnel remains to be seen," a diplomat tempers expectations. Until now, there have been technical talks, but the pressure is high to make progress ahead of next week's EU summit. Even the smallest chance must be seized, EU President Tusk said earlier in the day.
The European Commission emphasizes that a legally workable solution is needed and remains necessary to prevent a hard border in Ireland. The integrity of the European internal market must not be compromised. Reportedly, the new British proposals no longer refer to the guarantee arrangement or backstop, but instead to a separate European-British free trade agreement for Northern Ireland.
The member states, the commission, and the European Parliament will discuss the matter on Monday. The following day, the ministers for European Affairs will talk about a possible agreement, which a few days later must be ratified by the prime ministers and presidents of the 28 EU countries.
And if the parties can reach an agreement, the deal still needs to be approved by the British parliament, where Prime Minister Johnson's government no longer has a majority. Formal consent from the European Parliament is also required.
Johnson will ask the British parliament to support any agreement he hopes to conclude within 24 hours after the European summit next week. This can only happen if a large number of Labour politicians consent. It remains unclear whether a non-EU British extension will be needed to negotiate a free trade agreement.