6:58 p.m. ET, March 21, 2019
Juncker says the EU is still planning for no deal
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said he hoped the House of Commons would approve the Withdrawal Agreement next week. "We are hopeful that the agreement will be adopted by the House of Commons," Juncker says of the agreed Brexit deal. If it is, Brexit will be delayed until May 22.
However he said the EU was ready for all scenarios. "Ladies and gentlemen, whatever happens we are ready for every eventuality, including the absence of an agreement to Brexit, the so-called “no deal.”
"Emergency measures are in place and we are continuing to prepare" for the “difficulties a hard Brexit would create," he adds.
"This has been a long haul but we’ve got to look forward now. The clock is ticking not only for Brexit but for other things too.”