Boris bullish on Brexit

– The Brexit talks, which began yesterday, will lead to a positive outcome for both Britain and the European Union (EU), says British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson.

“I think the whole process will lead to a happy resolution which can be done with honour and profit to both sides,” Johnson said as he went into an EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg.

Brexit Minister David Davis and the EU’s French chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, yesterday held the first formal talks in Brussels.

Prime Minister Theresa May had taken a hard-line approach on leaving the EU but a disastrous election result for her Conservative party on June 8 has left London’s policy in disarray.

The British government wants the negotiations to include the future relationship with Europe and an all-important trade deal.

Brussels has ruled out considering those issues until progress has been made on its key demands: Britain’s exit bill, estimated at €100 billion (R1 456bn); the rights of 3 million EU nationals living in the UK and the million Britons on the continent; and the status of the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Johnson backed the “leave” campaign: “We must think about the deep and meaningful partnership with Europe,” he said. – AFP

Luxembourg