The Guardians reported that EU Chief negotiator Michel Barnier has secured the greenlight from EU27 to open intensive “tunnel” negotiations with UK on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s latest Brexit proposals. Barnier met UK Brexit Minister Stephen Barclay today and he said afterwards that “Be patient. Brexit is like climbing a mountain. We need vigilance, determination and patience.”
European Commission spokesperson said “Michel Barnier had a constructive meeting this morning with Steve Barclay. It was a constructive meeting, and on that basis you can assume they have exchanged ideas and they discussed many different angles.”
European Council President Donald Tusk also said earlier that “, yesterday, when the Irish taoiseach and the UK prime minister met they both saw for the first time a pathway to a deal. I have received promising signals from the taoiseach that a deal is still possible.””
Sterling rise sharply on the news. GBP/USD broke 1.2582 resistance. GBP/JPY broke 135.74 resistance. EUR/GBP also broke 0.8786 support.