It comes after Finland's prime minister said that Mr Johnson had 12 days to set out his Brexit plans to the EU. The UK government has sent alternative ideas on the Irish backstop to the EU, but it said formal solutions would not be tabled until the government is ready. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said progress was being made with talks, but that he did not want to “exaggerate” their progress. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said talks had been positive and a deal could be agreed within a few weeks. The Irish government, however, has said a gap remained between what the UK wanted and what Ireland and the EU needed. May will meet her counterparts from Germany, France, Italy and Spain in Brussels next week for further talks.
The UK government has sent alternative ideas on the Irish backstop to the EU, but it said formal solutions would not be tabled until the government is ready. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said progress was being made with talks, but that he did not want to “exaggerate” their progress. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said talks had been positive and a deal could be agreed within a few weeks. The Irish government, however, has said a gap remained between what the UK wanted and what Ireland and the EU needed. May will meet her counterparts from Germany, France, Italy and Spain in Brussels next week for further talks.