Paris hopes the announcement of an agreement "tonight"

Will Europe finally break the impasse on October 15, just two weeks before the planned Brexit date? France has in any case welcomed, on Tuesday, a "positive momentumIn the negotiations between the European Union and London. She "hope for an agreement by tonight", Two days before the European Council Thursday and Friday, said the French Presidency.

"There is a possibility of agreement, it is recognized by all. We hope for an agreement but we do not know yetIf it will succeed, explained a councilor of the Elysee. According to him, the negotiator of the European Union Michel Barnier is "reasonably optimistic".

What scenarios are envisaged?

The latter told the Twenty-Seven that he was considering three scenarios concerning Brexit: an agreement with London tonight, a further postponement of the UK's departure date from the European Union or a "breakingNegotiations, Reuters learned from European diplomats.

"Even if it will be more and more difficult, an agreement is still possible this weekSaid the latter when he arrived in Luxembourg to inform ministers of the progress of discussions with the British. "But if we want an agreement for the summit, we need a legal text to be finalized tonight or at the latest tomorrow morningHe explained to the EU ministers. Otherwise it will probably decide to continue the discussions after the summit, it was said to AFP.

"It is obvious that any agreement must work for everyone: the whole of the United Kingdom and the whole of the European Union. Let me add that it is high time to turn good intentions into a legal text"Insisted the negotiator. Earlier in the day he had estimated the British proposals insufficient.

What are the topics of the current discussions?

The current discussions focus on two points of disagreement: how to avoid the return of a border between Ireland, an EU member, and Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, while realizing customs controls; and the right of inspection granted to the Northern Ireland authorities on the divorce agreement. Michel Barnier also spoke of ways to enforce fair competition, according to Reuters.

In the London proposal, Northern Ireland remains in the UK's customs territory while applying EU rules for products destined for the EU, a European source said.

What reactions?

The announcement of progress is both a relief and a source of concern for the European partners in the UK. Angela Merkel said on Tuesday that Britain, after the Brexit, would become "a new competitor at the gate of Europe»:«The European Union will thus be even more challenged to be competitive and to assume its geopolitical responsibilityShe said in a speech to industry representatives.

"We must ensure (…) that there will be no unfair competition tomorrow because a country would not implement the necessary regulatory controls in particular"Said French Secretary of State for European Affairs Amelie de Montchalin.

"I hope an agreement will be reached, but for the Netherlands, it is extremely important that there is no unfair competition from outside the EU using the Irish-North border. Irish. The UK has taken some steps, but not enough to guarantee the integrity of the common market", Warned the head of the Dutch diplomacy Stef Blok.

According to Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne, negotiations could continue after the EU summit. "In my opinion, it is practically impossible for us to reach an agreement before the meeting. We need more time and negotiate after the meetingHe pleaded, quoted by the news agency STT. Thus circulates the assumption of an additional peak by October 31, expected day of departure from the United Kingdom. "If it is not possible to conclude for Thursday's summit, then we will seeCommented the head of the Belgian diplomacy Didier Reynders.