Brexit negotiations will now enter the so-called “tunnel” phase of intensive and secretive talks in a major boost for Boris Johnson’s prospects of brokering a fresh deal.
The accelerated negotiations were agreed to by the EU27 after a “constructive meeting” between the bloc’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier and Britain’s Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay in Brussels today.
After talks came close to hitting the buffers, the British Prime Minister managed to win some confidence that he can secure an agreement after meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
But the details of Mr Johnson’s concessions are not yet known.
Meanwhile, European Council president Donald Tusk handed the PM a last-minute reprieve to secure an agreement, but warned the UK still has not presented a “workable, realistic proposal”.
Mr Barclay and Mr Barnier were dispatched after the two leaders held face-to-face discussions in the Wirral on Thursday, prompting the leaders to “see a pathway” to a possible agreement.
Both camps welcomed Friday morning’s discussions as “constructive” and Mr Barnier went on to meet with the EU27 ambassadors who, the European Commission said, agreed to “intensify discussions over the coming days”.
This takes the negotiations into “the tunnel”, which is Brussels jargon for an in-depth phase of talks among a select group of negotiators designed to minimize leaks.
A statement from the European Commission said Mr Barnier briefed the EU27 ambassadors after the meeting with Mr Barclay.
“The EU and the UK have agreed to intensify discussions over the coming days,” the statement continued.
“The EU’s position remains the same: there must be a legally operative solution in the Withdrawal Agreement that avoids a hard border on the island of Ireland, protects the all-island economy and the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement in all its dimensions, and safeguards the integrity of the Single Market.
“The Commission will take stock with the European Parliament and Member States again on Monday in view of preparing the General Affairs Council (Article 50) on Tuesday morning.”