European Council president Donald Tusk speaks in Brussels

  • Says that economic data confirms that "we are on the right track"
  • Post 2020 EU budget will be a difficult debate
  • Brexit is a big question that hangs over everything
  • Is sure that all elements of draft text is to be accepted
  • London has confirmed its 'red lines' on Brexit
  • Could be hard border in Ireland due to UK rejection of customs union
  • No one has offered wiser option fore Ireland than EU's common regulatory area
  • Friction in trade is inevitable result of leaving single market for the UK

Not really encouraging words on the Brexit issue by Tusk. Goes to show that we still have some way to go in resolving the differences, especially with regards to the Irish border.