British Prime Minister Theresa May has called on the European Union to compromise on Ireland's border in Brexit negotiations. May is on a two-day visit to the British-ruled region of Northern Ireland. Trade and security along its border with the Republic of Ireland is one of the main obstacles to a Brexit agreement. Our correspondent Mariam Zaidi has the details.

MARIAM ZAIDI BRUSSELS "A busy day of Brexit interventions on Friday. Over in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK Prime Minister Theresa May offered assurances to both Ireland and Northern Ireland that no hard border would ever be allowed by either the UK or the EU - come what may. But she used her speech to tear into the EU's backstop solution for the divisive Irish border issue. The EU has proposed that if no agreement can be made, Northern Ireland would remain part of the EU Customs union."

MARIAM ZAIDI BRUSSELS "Ensuring regulatory alignment with Ireland to avoid disruptions across their border for both people and businesses. As May threw down the gauntlet to the EU to 'evolve' its position a mere few hours, the EU's Lead Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier called for calm. Saying that a workable backstop solution would be found."

MICHEL BARNIER EU LEAD BREXIT NEGOTIATOR "We never said we wanted to create a border in the sea between Northern Ireland and the UK. But we need to find the proper place and time to perform checks. That we need to protect EU consumers and our internal market."

MARIAM ZAIDI BRUSSELS "But both sides will no doubt be aware that time is running out. And an eerie warning from Barnier come December 2018, if there is no agreement on the withdrawal agreement or political agreement on the future EU-UK relationship comes, we wouldn't just be headed for a NO Deal Brexit, it would be exactly that. Mariam Zaidi, CGTN, Brussels."