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Chief negotiator for the European Union Michel Barnier (C) greets British Prime Minster Theresa May on arrival at the Council of the European Union on the final day of the European Council leaders' summit on March 23, 2018 in Brussels, Belgium.
- Michel Barnier says a Brexit deal is "realistic" and "possible" by the start of November.
- The chief EU negotiator says agreement is still needed on moves to prevent a hard Irish border.
- EU diplomats are reportedly keen to compromise in order to prevent the collapse of May's government.
- The comments cause the pound to rise 0.9% on the day.
LONDON - It is "realistic" and "possible" to expect a Brexit deal to be signed by the start of November, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Monday.
Speaking at a conference in Bled, Slovenia, Barnier said he expected a deal could be signed within 6 to 8 weeks. However, he added that the
"We have to solve the issue of Ireland and some others in the next six to eight weeks," Barnier said.
He said EU negotiators were keen to get onto the next stage of talks, after the withdrawal agreement is signed, adding that they were "ready to propose a very important, ambitious and unprecedented partnership" with the UK.
His comments come as the EU signals that they are willing to compromise in order to save Theresa May's premiership, in a move dubbed "Operation Save Theresa" by one EU diplomat.
The comments welcomed by currency markets with the pound jumping 0.9% on the day.
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