Irish Minister Coveney and EU's Barnier speaking
Coveney:
- He wants UK to engage intensively and in detail on backstop
- there are ways to reassure people in the UK that this can be done
- UK should focus on Brexit talks in Brussels not on talks in EU capitals
- this is not a political deal that can be fudged but needs to be legally defensible
- EU is willing to show flexibility, what we have not seen is UK text to deal with difficulties
- deal can be done but needs intensification of engagement
Meanwhile Barnier is saying:
- Orderly Brexit protects rights of EU citizens and EU investment in regional projects
- after meeting Italy's foreign affairs minister says orderly Brexit will also protect EU quality farming products
- progress on backstop absolutely essential in the run-up to October
