EU leaders have asked U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson to come up with concrete proposals for fresh Brexit agreement options by September-end, The Independent and The Guardian reported.
Failure to submit proposals by the deadline would mean "it's over," Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne reportedly said Sept. 18 during a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron. Finland is the current holder of the EU's rotating presidency.
Rinne was referring to Johnson's intent to replace the Irish backstop, which seeks to prevent the return of a hard Irish border and maintain the movement of goods, with alternative arrangements. "Now is the time to come up with clear presentations and make them verifiable," The Independent quoted Rinne as saying.
Johnson failed to make a breakthrough in Brexit negotiations with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Sept. 16, though both leaders agreed to ramp up negotiations. Johnson will meet with European Council President Donald Tusk on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in the week of Sept. 23, according to Reuters.
Johnson, who has repeatedly pledged to deliver Brexit on Oct. 31 with or without a deal, has said there is time to reach a withdrawal agreement with Brussels before the European Council summit on Oct. 17-18.
