BRUSSELS/DUBLIN (Reuters) -
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Wednesday that last-ditch talks between the
European Union and
Britain had so far failed to resolve issues standing in the way of an amicable Brexit, with EU sources reporting a "standstill".
Difficulties centred on trade and the status of the Irish border, although the EU's chief
Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, was quoted as saying he was optimistic about a deal.
"There is a pathway to a possible deal but there are many issues that still need to be fully resolved," Varadkar said in a speech.