国际英语资讯:British PM comes face to face with EU leader, insists on Brexit deadline of Oct. 31_时事

国际英语资讯:British PM comes face to face with EU leader, insists on Brexit deadline of Oct. 31

On the events in Luxembourg, the EU said the aim of what was the first meeting between Juncker and Johnson was to take stock of the ongoing technical talks between the EU and Britain and to discuss the next steps.

The statement added that Juncker recalled it is Britain's responsibility to come forward with legally operational solutions that are compatible with the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

Juncker underlined the commission's continued willingness and openness to examine whether such proposals meet the objectives of the backstop.

"Such proposals have not yet been made," the statement said.

The statement added the European Council meeting on Oct. 17 will be an important milestone in the process, adding the 27 member states of the bloc remain united.

Juncker is to address the European parliament on Wednesday morning in Strasbourg, the statement concluded.

Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel went ahead with the media briefing, with the place prepared for Johnson left empty.

Bettel said the only solution that protected the EU's single market and prevented a hard Irish border was the Brexit withdrawal agreement that has already been rejected three times by politicians in Britain's House of Commons.

Johnson said he had cancelled attending the conference with Bettel because of concerns they would be "drowned" by protesters.

"I don't think it would have been fair to the Prime Minister of Luxembourg. I think there was clearly going to be a lot of noise," Johnson told British reporters.