EU's Juncker says that Barnier is masterfully handling Brexit negotiations

European Commission president Juncker delivers his State of the Union address

• EU respects UK's decision to leave
• Hopes that UK understands that leaving EU means losing privileges
• EU will do all it can to avoid a hard border in Ireland
• Says that he welcomes UK PM May's proposal for a close partnership
• Agrees with Chequers proposals to start close partnership via free trade agreement
• EU will not stand in the way of a deal on an orderly UK withdrawal

Very conciliatory tones so far from Juncker to say the least. Nothing along the hard lines that he is reported to be mentioning earlier here. Though, there's nothing in his comments hinting at a change/softening in Brexit stance either to be fair.