The French President has insisted that the EU won't abandon Ireland, no matter what happens with Brexit.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has arrived in Paris this afternoon for a meeting with Emmanuel Macron.
It's one of two key meetings between the Taoiseach and European leaders this week amid the ongoing Brexit crisis in Westminster, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel due in Dublin on Thursday.
The meetings also come ahead of the emergency European Council summit next week.
That meeting will take place only two days before the deadline for the UK government to pass the withdrawal agreement or come up with alternative proposals.
Speaking as the Taoiseach arrived at the Élysée Palace, President Macron insisted that the EU 'will not be held hostage' to the political crisis in the UK.
He stressed that it's up to the UK to come up with alternative proposals, and "to say it now" - warning that a long extension to Article 50 should not be taken for granted.
He added: "We will never abandon Ireland or the Irish people, no matter what happens - this solidarity is the very purpose of the European project."
Good to return to the Elysée Palace today to meet @EmmanuelMacron for discussions on #Brexit and the #futureofeurope pic.twitter.com/nUAqfdA05c
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) April 2, 2019
The Taoiseach, meanwhile, said there's still time for the UK to come up with a plan to avoid a no-deal exit.
He argued: "As things stand, the United Kingdom will leave the European Union on April 12th without a deal.
"However, there is still time to come to the European Council with proposals - proposals that are credible, and have a clear pathway to success. I think we need to be open to any proposals that she may bring forward to us".
While saying that the withdrawal agreement - including the Irish backstop - cannot be reopened, he indicated that the political declaration on the future relationship could be reconsidered if the UK drops its 'red lines' in negotiations.
