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Arlene Foster has challenged the European Union to ditch the backstop.<\/p>\nArlene Foster has challenged the European Union to ditch the backstop.<\/p>\n
The DUP leader also ruled out speculation of a hard border in Ireland if the backstop option is dropped as \u201cspinning tales\u201d.<\/p>\n
She made the comments today in a speech to party members in Kesh, Co Fermanagh.<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster described the week\u2019s events at the British Parliament, where MPs voted for an \u201calternative arrangement\u201d to replace the backstop as \u201cgood progress\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a massive step forward for the party to see a majority in Parliament also calling for such changes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA clear message was sent to Brussels that the backstop is the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
It remains unclear whether the EU will reopen negotiations on the withdrawal deal, with the Irish Government\u2019s Europe Minister, Helen McEntee, earlier saying that Dublin would \u201cabsolutely not\u201d accept that.<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster conceded that the EU are \u201ctough negotiators\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t expect them to roll over within hours,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut they must face up to reality. The blockage to getting a deal is the backstop therefore there must be sensible engagement and a pragmatic approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere in Kesh, we are within walking distance of the border. Local people travel to and fro across the border multiple times every day. It is quite disgraceful for some in Brussels to exploit genuine fears by spinning tales of border posts, troops and queues.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one is building border checkpoints. No one is sending troops to the border either.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuch talk is foolish and careless.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster also reiterated her party\u2019s position that any form of division between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK is \u201cunacceptable\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the UK leaves without an agreement in place and the European Union and Ireland are on one side and the UK is on the other, we will all have to work intensively together to ensure that we deliver on our shared goal of avoiding the return of a hard border,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are absolutely committed to doing that, even in those difficult circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA new border east-west is unacceptable to unionists.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s focus on getting a sensible deal which works for Brussels, Dublin and London.\u201d<\/p>\n