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Rishi Snack could secure a post-Brexit deal in Northern Ireland by the end of the week, reports say.
The prime minister said in a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday night that further talks are planned to finalize a deal as early as Sunday. Telegraph report.
A Downing Street source said the call between the prime minister and the president was “positive” and that “good progress” had been made.
Arrangements are alleged to be in place for the UK and the EU to agree a deal as early as Sunday before it is presented to parliament on Monday.
Sunak said he plans to publish a draft agreement containing Northern Ireland’s rules, known as the Protocol, with or without the approval of the country’s Democratic Unionist Party. Times.
Mrs von der Leyen also claims that she will travel to the UK and have a “handshake moment” with Mr Sunak once an agreement is reached.
A Downing Street source said the call between the prime minister and the president was “positive” and that “good progress” had been made.
Downing Street declined to disclose Mr. Snack’s schedule for the weekend, saying only that he was working at Number 10 on Fridays.
They also announced that Mrs von der Leyen has no plans to cancel plans to travel to the UK on Saturday for further face-to-face talks with Mr Rishi Snack about the Northern Ireland Protocol.
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according to sky newsthe committee leader was also scheduled to meet the King at Windsor Castle while in England on Saturday.
The broadcaster reported that the meeting could have been interpreted as “Charles endorsing a deal” that the prime minister was seeking to negotiate with the European Union to settle Brexit-related issues.
British government sources say von der Leyen is no longer expected to travel to the UK.
However, they stressed that it was not inappropriate for the king, as head of state, to meet visiting European leaders.
A government source said: “It would be wrong to suggest that the king will be involved in any political affairs.”
Buckingham Palace said it did not comment.
No 10 said a meeting between Sunak and von der Leyen would take place within the next few days, but was less precise about the timing.
Ten sources also confirmed on Friday that Mr Sunak had “constructive engagement” with supermarket bosses and parcel operators about the protocol and the reforms he is making.
These were developments interpreted as another step towards announcing a deal designed to alleviate the customs problems encountered by retailers trading between Northern Ireland and the UK.
The protocol, signed by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2020, aims to prevent a hard border with Ireland post-Brexit by effectively keeping Northern Ireland in the European Union’s single market.
But the treaty has infuriated union activists because it creates a trade barrier between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
Sunak was reportedly enthusiastic about announcing the deal this week, but No 10 said on Friday that “intensive negotiations” with the EU were still underway.
Additional report by Press Association.