The European Commission is willing to discuss Brexit with Britain over the coming weeks, a spokeswoman told a news briefing this afternoon in Brussels. European Commission spokeswoman Annika Breidthardt added the EU27 hope to avoid a no-deal situation but the bloc was prepared for this outcome.
"The Commission does remain available over the coming weeks should the United Kingdom wish to hold talks and clarify its position in more detail, whether by phone or in person," the spokeswoman said.
London and Brussels remain in a standoff over the terms under which the UK would leave the bloc: The UK insisted the EU needed to "change its stance" on renegotiating former Prime Minister Thresa May's withdrawal agreement, while EU negotiators told European diplomats there was currently no basis for further "meaningful discussions".
The deal negotiated by May has been rejected on three occasions by British MPs.
New Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a Brexit hardliner, has taken a hard line on Brexit since taking office two weeks ago, vowing to leave the bloc by the October 31 deadline, with or without a deal.
As Britain moved closer to a no-deal exit, the pound sank to a two-year low against the euro as investors became nervous at the prospect.
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