DUBLIN, April 7 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier will meet with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in Dublin on Monday, according to a government statement released on Sunday night.
The meeting, which will be held at Government Buildings on Monday afternoon, will provide an opportunity for the two to discuss the situation regarding Brexit ahead of the European Council meeting in Brussels, said the statement, adding that the two will hold a press briefing after the hour-long talk.
Earlier local media reported that Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Simon Coveney as well as Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe will also join the meeting between Barnier and Varadkar.
The purpose of the meeting is to take stock of the latest developments in London and the on-going planning for a possible no-deal scenario, said the reports.
Prior to Monday's meeting with Barnier, Varadkar just received German Chancellor Angela Merkel for a talk on Brexit in Dublin, during which Merkel said that her country and other EU member states will do everything they can to prevent a no-deal Brexit.
On Saturday, Varadkar said in a local TV program that he believed that it is "extremely unlikely" that any of the 27 EU members will veto the request raised by the British Prime Minister Theresa May for a further extension of Brexit to June 30 at the upcoming European Council summit meeting on April 12.
