The European Union is preparing to take a decision on the border of Northern Ireland, which increases the likelihood of a Brexit deal with British Prime Minister Theresa May before the end of the year.

During the Brexit talks the EU side intends to use technological solutions to minimize customs control on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the Times reported. 

Last year, the UK Prime Minister Theresa May warned of the importance of solving the border issue for Brexit.

According to the source, under the EU plan, goods can be tracked using bar codes on cargo containers with the support of the “trusted-trader” system. Such measures will help to eliminate the need for a new border infrastructure after UK withdrawal from the EU. The EU representative on Brexit talks Michel Barnier is currently working on a similar new text of the document, which will outline a plan to minimize control at the border of Ireland, Times noted.

Former UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson warned that the initial EU support plan would lead to Northern Ireland being "annexed" by Brussels. Nevertheless, EU officials and European diplomats are concerned that the Brexit secretary, Dominic Raab, is preparing to present an alternative plan, without special solution for Northern Ireland after Brexit.