EU's Juncker not optimistic about Irish border

A German radio station is reporting that European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker says he isn't optimistic about finding alternatives to the Irish border provision that has become a main sticking point in the Brexit stalemate.

Deutschlandfunk radio said in a preview Friday of an interview with Juncker being broadcast Sunday that Juncker hopes for alternative proposals but says "time is getting short." He stressed anew that reopening the previously reached Brexit withdrawal agreement isn't possible.

Juncker is meeting Monday with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who insists that Britain must leave the European Union on Oct. 31 with or without a deal.

Deutschlandfunk reported Juncker said a disorderly no-deal Brexit would cause chaos and it would take years to put right. He added: "Anyone who loves his country, and I assume that there are still patriots in Britain, would not want to wish his country such a fate."