In the European Parliament in Brussels, Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE), EP Brexit coordinator meets with Leo VARADKAR, Irish Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister). Arrival, roundtable and statement by Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE,BE), following the meeting

Brussels

VERHOFSTADT, Guy (Renew, BE)

Brexit (T)

article 50 of the Lisbon treaty (T)

meeting

EU - Ireland (T)

VARADKAR, Leo (IE)

Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE), EP Brexit coordinator meets with Leo VARADKAR, Irish Taoiseach: arrival, roundtable and statement by Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE,BE), following the meeting

Arrival of Leo VARADKAR, Irish Taoiseach, handshake.

End of the meeting family photo, handshake , departure of Leo VARADKAR, Irish Taoiseach.

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT, EP coordinator for the negotiations with the UK (MEP), We have to avoid a hard border in Ireland. We think that we need to safeguard, very clearly the Good Friday Agreement and to do that we need what we call a backstop and this backstop has been foreseen and for us there is no agreement possible if this backstop is not in the agreement because this backstop is an insurance against the violence in Ireland and Northern Ireland. And we are very clear that this Parliament will never go into the direction of hardliners. Hardliners in Britain in the conservative party, who want a hard Brexit. What we will do is continue to defend the interest of our member states. Especially of Ireland. So Ireland, that is what I said the Taoiseach can count on the solidarity and support of the whole European Parliament. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT, What we need is to see a cross party, both majority, in the House of Parliament, telling us what close relationship they really want between the EU and UK. And it is the lack of such a broad majority in the House of Commons, what is in my opinion the reason for all the troubles we have in finding a solution. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT, What is in the political declaration today is defined by the red lines of the UK government. If the red lines of the UK government are moving, we are ready to move also. But that is the political declaration. What we will not do is to start again the whole work of the withdrawal agreement. What we will not do is to give up Ireland. What we will not do is to go into the direction of what the hardliners in the Conservative party wants. That we cannot do. 

SOUNDBITE (English), Guy VERHOFSTADT, The next step is to see Mrs May tomorrow. 