The European Union chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker will say on Wednesday that Britain should not expect EU negotiators to soften demads as they try to conclude the Brexit divorce treaty but he will also say that a close future partnership is wanted.
Juncker will adress the European Parliament for the State of the European Union and he will only touch briefly Britiain’s impending withdrawal from EU. Among the toughest issues left to solve is how to avoid a disruptive new UK-EU border on the island of Ireland.
The official that made the statements for Reuters regarding the speech Junker will have also said that it would not be a good idea to suggest there is a softening of the EU position. Brussels and member states remained united and determined to resist British ideas they fear would let it keep some benefits of the EU single market while avoiding the costs.
He also dismissed the idea that Britain’s exit could be delayed beyond March 29 to avoid a disruptive Brexit.