UK claims ‘momentum’ in Brexit talks

BRUSSELS, Sept 20 (AFP): Brexit talks are progressing with "momentum", the British minister in charge of the divorce said Friday after meeting his EU counterpart, despite warnings that a deal was still some way off.

After talks in Brussels with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier, Brexit Minister Stephen Barclay said there was a "shared sense of purpose" to reach agreement and avoid Britain crashing out of the bloc without a divorce agreement.

Britain is racing toward its October 31 departure without an exit agreement and faces the threat of economic disruption that the government admits could cause food shortages and spark civil unrest.

Barclay and Barnier discussed three papers submitted by London with ideas on replacing the so-called "Irish backstop" provisions in the Brexit deal struck last year but rejected by British lawmakers.