Berlin: German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maintained their respective stances on Brexit, but said that they believe an exit accord can be reached in the end.

The differences between the two leaders mainly revolve around the safeguard — or "backstop" — for Ireland, which would obligate the United Kingdom (UK) to remain a part of the EU Customs Union although it would not define the future relations with the European Union after Britain's exit from the bloc.