Talks “very constructive”

EUROPEAN Commission

President Ursula von der Leyen has called talks on Northern Ireland with the UK very constructive.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, February 1, von der Leyen said that no deal had yet been reached.

She said: “You know the principle: that everything is only negotiated at the very end when you know what the result is and you give a final signature.”

According to a news outlet she said a deal had all but been agreed upon after she spoke of the good relationship that she has with British Prime Minister

Rishi Sunak. She added that: “our teams are working together to find solutions” on the issue.

Although technical discussions have gone on for months, the combative approach from the UK and the threat of unilateral action yielded few results.

With the third anniversary of the deal signed by Boris Johnson that put a border between the UK and Northern Ireland, all parties are keen to bring an end to differences and to resolve the issues without endangering the Good Friday agreement that brought peace to the region.

Von der Leyen has refused to be drawn on how close to the two parties are to a deal but the recent intervention of more senior staff would suggest the two parties are close to a deal.