2 weeks to agree exit bill or
BRUSSELS yesterday set Britain a two-week deadline for spelling out how much we are prepared to pay to leave the EU.
Failure to make “concessions or clarifications” on the Brexit “divorce bill” and other issues would mean crucial trade deal talks are delayed until next year, the UK was warned.
The threat from EU Commission chief negotiator Michel Barnier led to him being accused of “holding Britain to ransom”.
But at the end of his sixth round of monthly talks in Brussels with Brexit Secretary David Davis, both men reported that they were “making progress”.
The EU insists on a certain level of progress on three key areas before next month’s summit of national leaders can discuss a trade deal.
The three areas are Britain’s “divorce bill” for leaving, protecting the rights of EU citizens in the UK and Britons on the Continent, and the future border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland.
Mr Barnier told a press conference with Mr Davis: “Only sufficient progress – that is to say sincere and real progress – on the three main key issues will enable the triggering of the second phase of our negotiation.”
He insisted: “We are not asking the UK for concessions, nor are we planning to make any concessions ourselves.”
But when he was asked to confirm that “you will need ‘clarifications’ or ‘concessions’, whichever you prefer, from the UK within two weeks, in order to move onto the second phase in December”, Mr Barnier replied in his native French: “My answer is yes.”
Mr Barnier added: “This is absolutely vital if we are to achieve sufficient progress in December. It’s just a matter of settling accounts, as in any separation.”
He stressed he must consult the 27 other EU member states and the European Parliament before and after each round of talks with the UK on the complex issues at stake “which is why I need time”. He said he did not need all the “nitty gritty” settled now “but we want sufficient progress.
“If that’s not the case that will put back the opening of discussions on the future.”
Mr Davis said the UK was ready to engage “as often and as quickly as is needed” to secure the right outcome in time for the EU summit on December 14 and 15.
He added: “There is no doubt we have made and continue to make significant progress across a whole range of issues. That course will continue at pace between now and December and I hope it will lead to sufficient progress.”
He underlined Britain’s willingness to honour commitments made while an EU member .
But, calling for flexibility and “pragmatism” on both sides, he said: “This is now about moving on to the political discussions. We must now look ahead to moving our discussion into our future relationship.”
Mr Barnier’s deadline angered British senior figures, even some of those against Brexit.
Remain-supporting Sir Christopher Meyer, former UK ambassador to the US, tweeted: “No self-respecting nation negotiates under threat of ultimatum. If (the) EU27 won’t move to stage 2 in December, we should suspend the negotiation and let them feel the ticking clock.”
Leading pro-Brexit Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg said in response to Mr Barnier’s new demands: “We ought not to make any further concessions.
“We have already been generous enough and it is time for the EU to approach the negotiations more seriously.”
Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage tweeted: “Once again Barnier demands a huge ransom from the