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Michel Barnier will hold talks with Leo Varadkar in Dublin later today ahead of this week\u2019s crunch summit in Brussels.<\/p>\nMichel Barnier will hold talks with Leo Varadkar in Dublin later today ahead of this week\u2019s crunch summit in Brussels.<\/p>\n
The EU\u2019s chief Brexit negotiator will discuss the latest developments with the Taoiseach this afternoon.<\/p>\n
Mr Barnier will also meet the Tanaiste and foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney and finance minister Paschal Donohue.<\/p>\n
The engagements at Government Buildings in the city come prior to the meeting of the EU27 on Wednesday when European leaders will discuss Theresa May\u2019s request for a further Brexit extension.<\/p>\n
At the weekend, Mr Varadkar said his own preference was for a longer extension than the June 30 date proposed by the UK.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we want to avoid is an extension that just allows for more indecision and more uncertainty,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar also said the prospect of one of the EU27 saying no to any form of extension at the European Council meeting was \u201cextremely unlikely.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach said any country that vetoed a further Brexit extension would not be forgiven by other member states.<\/p>\n
Mr Barnier\u2019s visit is the latest evidence of intensifying diplomatic exchanges between the Dublin government and key EU figures in the Brexit process.<\/p>\n
Last week, Mr Varadkar held bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Dublin.<\/p>\n