Brexit SHOCK: Merkel and Macron CAVE IN and demand EU make CONCESSIONS to Britain
FRANCE and Germany have demanded “flexibility” from the European Union in order to strike a Brexit deal with Theresa May’s United Kingdom.
Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel told their European colleagues the EU must be flexible in order to solve the vexed Irish border issue.
They told EU negotiator Michel Barnier he must be “more flexible” during negotiations in order to break the bitter impasse.
The French and German leaders’ demands came during a private dinner meeting between the remaining 27 EU leaders on Wednesday night.
Mr Barnier was told to offer Theresa May guarantees the EU will not impose a customs border in the Irish Sea by the French President and German Chancellor.
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They expressed concerns about the Prime Minister’s ability to win the support from the DUP and Tory backbenchers for any potential compromises she offers in order to strike a deal on the Irish backstop.
EU diplomats have revealed Paris has shifted its position on Brexit and now wants to push through a deal as soon as possible.
Mr Macron’s government will call on the EU to resume negotiations immediately in order to reduce the risk of a no-deal Brexit.
Mrs Merkel reinforced the need for a new effort and “flexibility” in order to strike a deal during the meeting private meeting.
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Despite the private approach, Mr Macron doubled down on warnings to Mrs May that it is her role to break the impasse and not the EU.
He told reporters in Brussels the Prime Minister must deliver a “political compromise” as the EU has offered as much it can in negotiations.
“It’s no longer a technical issue, it’s for the political ability of the UK to reach an agreement that can be presented to us,” the French President said.
“It’s not for the EU to make concessions to deal with UK political issues. I can not be more clear on this.
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“Mrs May has been extremely committed and I’m convinced she will work in finding a political solution to get back to the EU negotiators.”
“There is no additional political compromise on the EU side,” he added.
Sources within Mr Macron’s government have suggested his final compromise offer allowed Mrs May a “temporary backstop” in order to win support in Westminster.
"There is a possible space to find an agreement," said one French official.
Mr Macron’s officials indicated that fresh proposals for a "temporary backstop" contingency plan as an insurance policy designed to keep no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic could be put on the table.
Their compromise included a guarantee the so-called backstop would be "temporary" but "without too precise an end date", the Elysee Palace source said.
