Legislation meant for smooth UK exit reaches key hurdle
The European Com- mission said on Wednesday that a Brexit transition period during which Britain must obey EU rules should last until the end of 2020.
The development comes after EU leaders last week signed off on the first stage of Brexit negotiations, ending more than a year of stalemate over Britain’s bill for leaving the bloc, as well the fate of the Irish border and EU expatriates.
Unveiling the EU executive branch’s new negotiating guidelines, chief negotiator Michel Barnier said that during the transition period Britain would remain part of the bloc’s single market, which includes freedom of immigration for EU nationals.
It would also be subject to the European Court of Justice, while playing no role in decision- making in the bloc during the transition period lasting from the day Britain leaves the union on March 29, 2019.
Britain had indicated that it wanted a longer transition period of around two years — three months longer than the new EU deadline.
“The transition period is useful and will enable Britain to get prepared for London: Legislation intended to smooth Britain’s exit from the European Union moves a step closer to becoming law on Wednesday, as ministers begin working out what they want from Brexit. The House of Commons will hold its eighth and final day of detailed scrutiny of the EU ( Withdrawal) Bill, which would formally end
the kind of challenges that they will have to face, and to prepare also for the complications of the new relationship,” Barnier told a press conference in Brussels as he unveiled new Brexit negotiating guidelines. Britain’s membership of the bloc and transfer EU rules into British law, and will vote on key amendments. Prime Minister Theresa May had suffered a humiliating defeat by pro- European members of her own Conservative party last week when MPs voted to ensure parliament has the final say on any divorce deal with Brussels.
Formal talks on a transition period are due to start in January, with negotiations on the future relationship between Britain and the EU, including steps towards an eventual trade deal, in March.