Newsletter Newsletters Events Events Podcasts Videos Africanews
Loader
Advertisement

France denies softening stance on Irish backstop

France denies UK reports Macron had offered concessions on the backstop
France denies UK reports Macron had offered concessions on the backstop Copyright  Reuters
Copyright Reuters
By Lindsey Johnstone & Reuters
Published on
Share this article Comments
Share this article Close Button

"These [reports] are without any foundation... The French position is that of the European Union: the withdrawal agreement is not renegotiable," an official from Macron's Elysee office said.

ADVERTISEMENT

France on Sunday denied British media reports that President Emmanuel Macron had offered concessions on the Irish backstop to end the stalemate over Brexit negotiations.

The Times newspaper reported over the weekend that France and other EU countries were ready to provide assurances over the Irish backstop, and that Macron had softened his position "to assist a last-ditch attempt by the EU to help to get the withdrawal agreement across the line".

"These [reports] are without any foundation... The French position is that of the European Union: the withdrawal agreement is not renegotiable," an official from Macron's Élysée office said.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking changes to the most contentious part of her withdrawal agreement: a backstop arrangement to ensure there is no return of a hard border between EU-member Ireland and Northern Ireland after Brexit.

May plans to speak to every EU leader and the European Commission chief to seek changes to her EU withdrawal agreement, days after she suffered defeat in a parliamentary vote that has increased the risk of a "no deal" Brexit.

Macron has championed the EU's refusal to reopen the agreement and water down a provision designed to guard against an Irish hard border.

Go to accessibility shortcuts
Share this article Comments

Read more

Brexit billboard crusaders: Four 'working dads' are holding politicians to account

Brexit road trip day 4: Northern Ireland

Brexit: what ‘alternative arrangements’ are there to the Irish backstop?