British premier Boris Johnson and his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar Thursday 鈥渁greed that they could see a pathway to a possible deal,鈥� a joint statement said.
鈥淭he prime minister and Taoiseach [Irish prime minister] have had a detailed and constructive discussion,鈥� read the statement following their meeting in Birkenhead, northern England.
The emergency meeting came after Brexit talks stalled earlier this week.
鈥淏oth continue to believe that a deal is in everybody鈥檚 interest. They agreed that they could see a pathway to a possible deal,鈥� said the statement.
They 鈥渃oncentrated on the challenges of customs and consent鈥� and 鈥渄iscussed the potential to strengthen bilateral relations, including on Northern Ireland.鈥�
The premiers remained in agreement 鈥渢o reflect further on their discussions and that officials would continue to engage intensively on them.鈥�
鈥淔ollowing their discussions the taoiseach will consult with the taskforce 50 and the Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay will meet [chief EU Brexit negotiator] Michel Barnier tomorrow morning,鈥� the statement added.
British and EU officials will meet in Brussels next week in a European Council meeting.
Johnson is required to demand an extension to the Brexit deadline, which is currently due on Oct. 31.
The British premier has insisted the U.K. would leave the EU on the deadline and repeatedly said he would not ask for an extension, despite a mandate by the parliament.
By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal in London
Anadolu Agency
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