Germany: UK solution to Irish backstop 'unacceptable' – EU Brexit Chief Barnier

W/S The European Union's Chief Negotiator for the United Kingdom Exiting the European Union Michel Barnier and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas arriving at press conference, Berlin
C/U Camera *CUTAWAY*
M/S Barnier and Maas being filmed
SOT, Michel Barnier, The European Union's Chief Negotiator for Brexit: "Based on current UK thinking, it is difficult to see how we can arrive at a legally operative solution which fulfills all the objectives of the backstop. This side will remain open to talks and to progress and to listen to new ideas from the UK, also regarding the future relationship."
C/U Barnier being filmed *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Michel Barnier, The European Union's Chief Negotiator for Brexit: "The new government of the UK wants us to get rid of this solution, the so-called backstop and wants us to [create] a regulatory and customs land border on the island of Ireland. The UK government also want the EU to change the way the internal market and border controls operate after Brexit. As I am sure you will understand this is unacceptable."
M/S Barnier talking on stage and being filmed *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Michel Barnier, The European Union's Chief Negotiator for Brexit: "We respect the UK's decision to leave the EU, to leave the single market, to leave the customs union, and we want this withdrawal to take place in an orderly manner, orderly manner. We want to put a end to the current uncertainty."
M/S Barnier and Maas at podiums *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Heiko Maas, German Foreign Minister (German): "Just like before we regret the British leaving the European Union, but the decision taken on the island must be respected and therefore this decision must lead to a reasonable outcome, which is an orderly exit of Great Britain from the European Union."
M/S Barnier and Maas at podiums *CUTAWAY* *LOW SOUND AT SOURCE*
SOT, Heiko Maas, German Foreign Minister (German): "As we have always emphasised, we believe, as before, an orderly exit is possible and that's why we are examining every suggestion in a constructive manner. But the ideas offered on the side of the British do not yet pose a safe and feasible solution to the problem."
M/S Barnier and Maas shaking hands
SCRIPT
The European Union's Chief Negotiator for Brexit Michel Barnier stressed that it is "difficult to see" a solution to the Irish backstop, calling UK suggestions "unacceptable" while speaking at a press conference alongside German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Berlin on Monday.
"Based on current UK thinking, it is difficult to see how we can arrive at a legally operative solution which fulfills all the objectives of the backstop. This side will remain open to talks and to progress and to listen to new ideas from the UK also regarding the future relationship," Barnier said at the press conference.
He also called the UK government's proposal to create a customs boundary along the border of Northern Ireland "unacceptable."
"As we have always emphasised, we believe, as before, an orderly exit is possible and that's why we are examining every suggestion in a constructive manner. But the ideas offered on the side of the British do not yet pose a safe and feasible solution to the problem," Maas added at the press conference.
Brexit negotiations between the UK government and EU leaders are ongoing ahead of the October 31 deadline. European have recently leaders giving Boris Johnson until the end of September to present a viable alternative to his predecessor Theresa May's withdrawal agreement or settle for a no-deal Brexit.