Dominic Raab and Michel Barnier will hold face-to-face talks in Brussels at the end of the latest round of Brexit negotiations.
The Brexit Secretary has promised to bring “as much energy as I can” to the talks with the European Union’s chief negotiator.
But the meeting comes as both sides of the negotiations step up plans to cope with a collapse in talks which would result in the UK leaving without a deal in March 2019.
The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier (Niall Carson/PA)
Theresa May said the British public should take “reassurance and comfort” from Government preparations for a no-deal Brexit after it emerged plans were being developed to stockpile food and medicines.
In an interview with 5 News on Wednesday, the Prime Minister did not deny stockpiling is happening, but said the Government is being “responsible and sensible” while still trying to get a good deal with the European Union.
Mrs May said: “Far from being worried about preparations that we are making, I would say that people should take reassurance and comfort from the fact that the Government is saying we are in a negotiation, we are working for a good deal – I believe we can get a good deal – but… because we don’t know what the outcome is going to be… let’s prepare for every eventuality.”
The European Commission has told member states and firms operating in the EU to step up their own preparations for a “cliff edge” Brexit.
The Prime Minister will engage in her own round of Brexit diplomacy on Friday, travelling to Austria for talks with counterpart Sebastian Kurz and other EU leaders at the Salzburg Festival.
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