Macron: Brexit deal 'appears to be positive'
The French president says the deal agreed between the UK and EU 鈥渁ppears to be positive鈥�.
However he told journalists that it is necessary to 鈥渞emain reasonably prudent鈥�.
Speaking to France Info, President Macron said: 鈥淲e have had some good news this morning, with the completion of a deal that appears to be positive both for the EU and for the British side.
鈥淣ow it is necessary to pass through the next steps and, bearing in mind what has happened so far, it is necessary to be reasonably prudent.
鈥淭his deal allows us, I think, to respond to both our and the UK鈥檚 political and technical concerns.
鈥淭here will then be ratifications by the British and European parliaments and it is at that point that things may be finalised.
鈥淎t this stage we can only be satisfied that the negotiations have, at least, ended up with something positive.鈥�
Asked if he is optimistic, he said: 鈥淚 am always optimistic.
鈥淚 think that assuming that the negotiators, having perhaps better integrated on the British side the constraints and expectations of the parliament which caused a blockage a few months ago, consider that the conditions have been fulfilled, it is no doubt more likely to be ratified.
鈥淥ur negotiators have, since the beginning, defended our concerns, our red lines, our will to preserve the future of Europe, the coherency of the single market and the four freedoms.鈥�
