EU’s Brexit negotiator ‘extremely aware’ of border issues

The European Commission's lead Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, said Brexit would have “particular consequences” for the EU’s external borders, adding he was “extremely aware” of this issue.

He made the comments in response to a question on the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, refusing to rule out the return of a so-called ‘hard border’.

At a press conference in Brussels, Mr Barnier said he was determined that the Brexit negotiations would "find a way" to preserve the success of the Good Friday peace agreement.

But asked if he would commit to retaining the common travel area and rule out a hard border between Ireland - a member state - and the UK once it is outside the bloc, he said Brexit would have implications for the EU's frontiers.

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