French President Emmanuel Macron changes his tune and urges EU leaders to make a Brexit deal with Britain
Earlier this week Macron had said the EU should stick to their hardline stance on Brexit - but now the Europhile wants to include the UK in his new vision for the continent
EMMANUEL Macron is said to be pushing other EU leaders to agree to a close relationship with Britain after Brexit.
The French president wants to to spell out his vision for a new structure for Europe which includes the UK, reports.
The paper said it would based on having the EU and the euro at its core and Britain in a second ring.
He wants to use a summit in Salzberg next month to lay out his plans, but says they would depend on an amicable Brexit.
The decision suggests he is softening opposition to the prime minister’s Chequers proposals, which he had previously distanced himself from.
On Monday Macron urged EU countries to stick to their hardline stance on Brexit amid signs some are softening towards Britain’s proposals.
The French president warned a trade deal with the UK “can’t come at the expense of the EU’s integrity” as he spelled out his vision for a European superstate.
But diplomats have now reportedly said he was concerned a “no deal” departure would shatter European ties.
A source said: “He sees a no-deal scenario as something that would break links and poison relations at a time when Europe needs to be united beyond the EU."
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But there are fears his plan could open up rifts among European leaders by dividing the bloc in two.
Guntram Wolff, director of the Bruegel think tank, said: “There are two significant problems. The first problem is that it creates a hierarchy with the inner circle more important than outer circles.
"The second most important problem is that you have to assume the inner circle is united. That is not reality.”
Yesterday the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier boosted hopes of a deal by saying he wanted to offer Britain an unprecedented trade deal that would “be as close as possible” to the bloc.
His comments gave the pound a sharp boost, with Sterling rising to more than $1.30 against the dollar for the first time in weeks.
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