Brexit row could be fixed THIS MONTH as final talks begin in just days

A Brexit breakthrough could be imminent as the UK and EU prepare to enter the negotiating “tunnel” within days.

It is thought the final technical phase of intense talks may be triggered by both parties, which would mean the EU and UK working together to produce a joint text.

Brussels and London recently agreed terms for accessing data which details the flow of goods from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland.

The deal has resulted in optimism that a deal can be thrashed out.

The access of data is seen as a “new basis” for resolving the row between both sides of the Channel over Northern Ireland.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and EU Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic could announce the next stage of the relationship as soon as next week when they hold another round of talks.

No10 has stressed, however, that “significant issues” remain.

A great deal of concessions could result in Rishi Sunak facing even more pressure from hardline Tories and the DUP, who are already widely sceptical of his premiership.

A source close to the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen told the Daily Mail: “It is indeed a big step, and it could be a door-opener for more.”

The deal was fleshed out after talks between Mr Cleverly, Mr Sefcovic and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.

A joint statement said London and Brussels would “work rapidly to scope the potential for solutions in different areas on the basis of this renewed understanding”.

The agreement was an “important step forward”, according to Downing Street, and a “foundation for building further trust”.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “There are still significant issues at the heart of the protocol that need addressing.”

The new form of data sharing could mean the EU will drop the need for checks on goods that aren’t set to enter the EU’s single market via the Irish Republic.

Trade checks from the bloc are often seen as the driving factor for driving a hard divide between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last week said that trade rules were “too strict”, conceding “mistakes were made” in the design of the Protocol.