German Chancellor Angela Merkel
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there was still a chance of concluding an agreement for an orderly exit for Britain from the European Union, but Berlin was preparing for all options, including the possibility of a no-deal departure.
Addressing the German parliament ahead of a Wednesday evening European summit on issues including Brexit, Merkel said agreement had yet to be reached on arrangements for the border between the north and south of Ireland.
Germany's preparations for the possibility of Britain leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement included looking at the status of the roughly 100,000 British citizens who lived in Germany and the status of those of them who were German state employees.
It would not hurt Europe if Britain was allowed to remain in the European Union customs union and internal market beyond an agreed transitional arrangement, Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said."What can be extended with no major problem is the Jan. 1, 2020 date for the transition period. If a year is added to that it won't hurt Europe, I hope not Britain as well," Asselborn told German broadcaster Deutschlandfunk on Wednesday.German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung had reported late on Tuesday that the European Commission had offered to extend the transition period beyond the end of 2020. Under growing EU pressure, May meets her ministers on BrexitGermany well-prepared for all Brexit scenariosPM May to be given floor on Brexit before EU leaders dinner on Wednesday
Longer Brexit transition period would not hurt Europe
"I want Britain to be a close and trusting partner for Europe after leaving," she said. "Now, as before, there is a chance of reaching a good and solid withdrawal agreement.
"But it must be clear that in the end there will always be a difference between membership of the EU and being a partner," she added.