The EU has said full regulatory alignment with Northern Ireland is the only viable option to prevent a "hard border" with the Republic of Ireland. Prime Minister Theresa May has effectively agreed to allowing the region to remain in the single market and customs union, The Guardian has reported. But she also wants to ensure that there are no "cliff-edges" on trade after Brexit. Should the UK leave the customs union, border checks would be "unavoidable", according to the EU's lead negotiator Michel Barnier.
The EU has said full regulatory alignment with Northern Ireland is the only viable option to prevent a "hard border" with the Republic of Ireland. Prime Minister Theresa May has effectively agreed to allowing the region to remain in the single market and customs union, The Guardian has reported. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has called for a similar arrangement for Scotland. Should the UK leave the customs union, border checks would be "unavoidable", according to the EU's lead negotiator Michel Barnier.