"President Juncker repeated his willingness to work constructively with Prime Minister Johnson and to look at any concrete proposals he may have, as long as they are compatible with the Withdrawal Agreement," the Commission said after the two had a 20-minute phone call.

"President Juncker underlined the EU27's support for Ireland is steadfast and that the EU will continue to be very attentive to Ireland's interests."

Juncker added that the EU would do everything it could to avoid a no-deal Brexit, saying such a scenario would only ever be the UK's decision and not the EU's.