Increased optimism about Brexit agreements

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier was both optimistic and pessimistic when he met the EU's 27 remaining EU ministers in Luxembourg. Already during Tuesday evening, legally sustainable writing is really needed if it is possible to come up with a final settlement for the EU summit that awaits in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.

- Although it is becoming increasingly difficult to reach a settlement, it is still possible this week. It's time to turn good intentions into legal text, Barnier told the Journalist Corps on the site before the meeting.

The talks are now continuing intensively in Brussels. EU Minister Hans Dahlgren senses cautious optimism.

- Apparently, there has been a completely different climate in these discussions following the conversation that took place in Liverpool last Thursday between the British Prime Minister and his Irish colleague. Now it is so in any case that it is not at all ruled out that it could be an agreement, maybe even for the next 24 hours, says EU Minister Hans Dahlgren (S).

At the same time, the atmosphere between the UK and the rest of the EU has improved again.

- I myself spoke to the British Brexit minister this morning and it is a slightly different tone now. I really hope we can get this together, says Hans Dahlgren.

From a technical point of view, however, many problems remain to be solved, especially regarding the customs issues in Northern Ireland and how much influence the region itself should have over the process. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had a long talk on Monday evening with representatives of the Unionist Party DUP in London.

At the same time, time is scarce. There are many indications that another summit needs to be scheduled before the end of the month in order to avoid a contractual withdrawal.

- The feeling is that there are opportunities for an agreement. If it does not go before the summit, yet before the month of October is over. But there is still a risk that it will be a severe Brexit, warns Dahlgren.

A key question is how the British Parliament will come to a possible settlement. Within the EU, the interest is rather weak to agree on something that is then not approved in London. In London, however, the British government's majority leader in the lower house, Jacob Rees-Mogg, thinks he can see increased support for a settlement among MPs.

- I think there are enough votes now that are for an agreement. There is a special atmosphere in the country and the politicians must be responsive to the national feeling of wanting to move on with this, says Rees-Mogg to the LBC radio channel, according to Reuters news agency.