EU pledges full support for Ireland as Brexit looms

The European Union’s (EU) chief negotiator for Brexit Michel Barnier has said that Ireland has the “full support” of Brussels and emphasised that all community members “remain united” in their stance vis-a-vis the UK’s departure from the bloc. Barnier’s remarks came on Monday here after a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar less than 48 hours before the start of the EU summit at which the bloc will consider the idea of granting London an extension of the date by which it must break with the European bloc, Efe reported. The 27 countries that will remain in the EU after Brexit on Wednesday will discuss the possibility of delaying the UK’s withdrawal beyond the previously scheduled date of April 12, a decision that must be unanimous.