Barnier said an agreement can only be reached if both sides exercise restraint. He warned of dire consequences if the UK remains inflexible about border issues involving Northern Ireland.

EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michael Barnier (Source: AFP/VNA)

According to Barnier, border issues are one of 3 priorities in the Brexit negotiations, along with privileges for EU citizens in the UK and the exit bill for the UK. He said the EU wants negotiations to succeed and expects a deal to be reached because the UK has been an EU member for 44 years and should remain a close partner.