EU's Juncker: Not optimistic no-deal Brexit can be avoided
Posted February 21, 2019 6:00 am
BRUSSELS (AP) - EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker says despite constructive talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May he remains downbeat on the prospect of Britain avoiding a chaotic exit from the bloc next month.
Juncker told an European Union conference on Thursday that a no-deal Brexit "will have terrible economic and social consequences both in Britain and on the continent," adding he was doing his utmost so "the worst can be avoided."
But he said "I am not very optimistic when it comes to this issue."
Late Wednesday, May and Juncker said they held "constructive" talks at EU headquarters. They said negotiators would urgently seek a way out of the Brexit quagmire to prevent Britain from crashing out of the bloc on March 29 without a smooth transition period.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, center, points to a band aid on his cheek as he speaks with British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and British Prime Minister Theresa May meet Wednesday for their latest negotiating session to seek an elusive breakthrough in Brexit negotiations. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)
The Associated Press
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, right, speaks with British Prime Minister Theresa May prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and British Prime Minister Theresa May meet Wednesday for their latest negotiating session to seek an elusive breakthrough in Brexit negotiations. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)
The Associated Press
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, center, points to a band aid on his cheek as he speaks with British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and British Prime Minister Theresa May meet Wednesday for their latest negotiating session to seek an elusive breakthrough in Brexit negotiations. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)
The Associated Press
British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, walks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and British Prime Minister Theresa May meet Wednesday for their latest negotiating session to seek an elusive breakthrough in Brexit negotiations. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
The Associated Press
Protestors in costumes with EU and Union flags demonstrate about the process of Brexit outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and British Prime Minister Theresa May met Wednesday for their latest negotiating session to seek an elusive breakthrough in Brexit negotiations. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
The Associated Press
Protestors in costumes demonstrate about the process of Brexit outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and British Prime Minister Theresa May met Wednesday for their latest negotiating session to seek an elusive breakthrough in Brexit negotiations. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
The Associated Press
British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, is greeted by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and British Prime Minister Theresa May meet Wednesday for their latest negotiating session to seek an elusive breakthrough in Brexit negotiations. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)
The Associated Press
British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, is greeted by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and British Prime Minister Theresa May meet Wednesday for their latest negotiating session to seek an elusive breakthrough in Brexit negotiations. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)
The Associated Press
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