EU's Brexit deal 'best deal possible', says bloc chief

By Serife Cetin

BRUSSELS

European Commission president on Tuesday insisted that the Brexit deal agreed by the EU is "the best deal possible," and “will not be re-opened.”

Speaking during a plenary session at the European Parliament, Jean-Claude Juncker said: "The deal we have achieved is the best deal possible. It is the only deal possible."

His remarks came after British Prime Minister Theresa May announced early Monday the postponement of Tuesday’s planned Brexit vote, as the deal "would be rejected by a significant margin".

Juncker said, "There is no room whatsoever for renegotiation but of course, if used intelligently, there is enough room to give further clarification and further interpretation without opening the Withdrawal Agreement. This will not happen."

“Everyone has to know that the Withdrawal Agreement will not be re-opened,” he emphasized, adding that the big problem is “the backstop for Ireland.”

The EC president said that they had a “common determination to do everything to not be in a situation one day to use that backstop, but we have to prepare it.”

"It is necessary for the entire coherence of what we have agreed with Britain, and it is necessary for Ireland. Ireland will never be left alone,” he added.

The so-called backstop arrangement in the Brexit deal has been widely criticized by the MPs, who fear that it would force the UK to adhere to EU rules, even after its exit from the bloc.

The arrangement is aimed at preventing a "hard border" between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

EU leaders are scheduled to meet in Brussels for a two-day summit Thursday and Friday, and Brexit has been added to the agenda.