DAVIS MAKES A SHARP BREXIT
Off to Spain after EU talks surrender
DAVID Davis is taking his Brexit message across Europe after suffering a setback in Brussels.
The Brexit Secretary is meeting members of Spain’s government as part of his effort to build bridges across the continent.
Mr Davis’s meeting with the administration of prime minister Mariano Rajoy came after UK officials agreed to the Brexit timetable set out by European Commission chief negotiator Michel Barnier.
Talks in Spain are expected to include the thorny issue of Gibraltar after the EU’s guidelines for talks suggested the disputed territory’s future economic status might be subject to a veto from Madrid.
Upbeat
British sources have insisted the sovereignty of the Rock is not up for discussion as part of the Brexit talks, which began in Brussels on Monday.
Mr Davis had wanted trade talks to take place in parallel with negotiations on the divorce from Brussels – but the UK reluctantly accepted the timetable set out by Mr Barnier.
Mr Davis said he was optimistic about the process and the British appeared upbeat about the prospects of trade talks beginning before the final details of divorce proceedings had been agreed.
Prime Minister Theresa May spoke to Polish counterpart Beata Szydlo about the negotiations, telling her she wanted a “deep and special partnership that supports a strong and prosperous EU”.
Mrs May also stressed her commitment to a deal on the rights of EU citizens.
Mr Barnier warned the UK faced “substantial” consequences as a result of Brexit but insisted it was “not about punishment” or revenge.
In a reference to the PM’s negotiating mantra, he said: “For both the European Union and the United Kingdom, a fair deal is possible and far better than no deal.”
After the first day of the negotiations, which could shape the UK’s economic and political future for a generation, it was agreed that working groups of officials would aim to make progress on citizens’ rights, the UK’s financial settlement, the so-called divorce bill and other issues to do with separation.