Following a UK customs paper containing proposals of a new solution to the Irish border question, Michel Barnier has said the whole UK cannot be included in the backstop agreement. The proposals would see all of the UK remain in the EU customs union for a short time period.

This has already been identified as a solution to the border on the island of Ireland post-Brexit by Theresa May’s government.

Speaking on the proposals, Barnier said: “I welcomed the publication of this paper. It is good to see the UK engaging with us by proposing text. Let me be clear: our backstop cannot be extended to the whole UK. Why? Because it has been designed for the specific situation of Northern Ireland.”

He outlined that on customs, Northern Ireland would form part of the EU’s customs territory. He said that this was feasible for a territory the size of Northern Ireland but it would not be feasible with the whole UK.

Pragmatic

“This [the backstop] would provide a specific solution to the unique situation of Northern Ireland. The UK is taking a different angle, however. It is looking for a UK-wide solution.

“On regulatory alignment, we have been pragmatic and developed the least disruptive system for citizens and businesses on both sides. Let's go back to pragmatism. Checks carried out on ferries are less disruptive than along a 500km long land border.”

He emphasised the importance of the backstop agreement in preserving the fluidity and ease of trade and agricultural production on the island of Ireland.

“We will not leave this issue unresolved,” he said.

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