EU Brexit negotiator Barnier comments:

  • Brexit deal is determining step to conclude negotiations
  • Brexit deal brings legal certainty on consequences of brexit
  • Transition period can be extended "for a limited period"
  • We have found a solution to avoid a hard border on the island of ireland
  • Only if at end of transition, whether extended or not, there is no better solution, would the backstop kick in
  • We have worked with UK on the basis of their backstop proposal
  • N. Ireland would stay in same customs territory as rest of UK, but N. Ireland would remain aligned to some EU regulations to avoid hard border
  • Clear that N Ireland economy retains unfettered access to rest of UK
  • UK will follow EU manufacturing standards to ensure level playing field in customs arrangement
  • We respect UK constitutional integrity
  • Backstop is not meant to be used
  • Objective is to reach new Eu-UK agreement before end of transition
  • Ready to start negotiating future trade deal on the day after Britain leaves EU
  • Future relationship will be on basis of duty and quota-free trade
  • Customs deal will need new agreement on fisheries
  • Much work needs to be done, the road is still long and may be difficult to get to an orderly Brexit
  • We have taken a big step today toward an orderly withdrawal
  • UK will remain our friend, our partner, our ally
  • We have made decisive progress

Just a couple of points on these

  • We have found a solution to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland
  • Only if at end of transition, whether extended or not, there is no better solution, would the backstop kick in
  • Objective is to reach new Eu-UK agreement before end of transition
  • Ready to start negotiating future trade deal on the day after Britain leaves EU
  • Much work needs to be done, the road is still long and may be difficult to get to an orderly Brexit

Righto then. Yes, the news today is a positive but do note that there is an element of kicking the can down the road on this. Norther Ireland has not been solved. Trade deal has not been solved. These are intractable issues and remain live, if postponed.

In the UK, there will be much politicking to come as BoJo and Rees Mogg try to have May replaced (and get her job, the slimeballs :-D )

Still, not being a curmudgeon today - a positive development for now.