A joint statement from the commission president and British prime minister was significant, however, for what it did not say. While referring to a variety of options for unblocking the backstop logjam, the leaders notably did not admit to discussing any reopening of the withdrawal agreement. President @JunckerEU and Prime Minister @theresa_may met to take stock of their efforts to deliver the UK's orderly withdrawal from the EU. Both UK Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay and Mr Cox will be in Brussels on Thursday to continue the discussions with the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier. Diplomats say it will provide an opportunity for “speed lobbying” by the prime minister of fellow EU leaders but there will be no formal Brexit discussions.

Source: The Irish Times February 21, 2019 01:01 UTC