Germany’s Merkel backs revised Brexit deal

By Ayhan Simsek</p> <p>BERLIN (AA) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel has welcomed on Tuesday the last minute agreement between the EU and British government on “legally binding” changes to the Brexit deal. </p> <p>Speaking at a joint news conference with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel in Berlin, Merkel said the EU has made “significant” and “far-reaching” proposals to address the concerns on the U.K.’s withdrawal agreement. </p> <p>“We strongly support this,” she said, referring to the last-ditch agreement reached on Monday night between European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and British Prime Minister Theresa May in Strasbourg.</p> <p>Merkel also expressed hope that the updated Brexit deal would de approved by the British parliament in a crucial vote on Tuesday. </p> <p>On Monday, Juncker said they agreed on a &quot;legally binding instrument&quot; relating to the U.K.'s withdrawal agreement, providing further clarifications and legal guarantees on the nature of the contentious &quot;backstop&quot; mechanism.</p> <p>&quot;It is what we do with this second chance that counts. Because there will be no third chance,&quot; he stressed. </p> <p>&quot;There will be no further interpretations of the interpretations; and no further assurances of the re-assurances – if the meaningful vote tomorrow fails,&quot; he added. </p> <p>Britain’s parliament will vote on Tuesday the Brexit deal and political declaration, as well as the three new documents unveiled Monday night.