It is important that the House of Commons voted against a no-deal Brexit yesterday for that cannot be in either side’s interest. However, the British Government has yet to say what changes to the Northern Ireland backstop it would like to see. It now has to quickly set out what it wants, since there is not much time left.

We are ready to talk. Our position is clear: the withdrawal agreement is the best and only solution which can ensure an orderly exit. Germany and the entire European Union will stand by Ireland on the backstop. We will not allow Ireland to be isolated on this issue.