Timetable for Brexit laid out on first day
‘DIVORCE’ BILL, IMMIGRANTS AND IRELAND BEGIN DEBATE
Reporter THE European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator has promised to deal with negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal in a “constructive” way and said he believed a “fair” deal was possible for both sides and “far better” than the prospect of the UK leaving with no agreement.
Michel Barnier was speaking yesterday at the end of the first day of negotiations in Brussels with Brexit Secretary David Davis, who said he was “optimistic” of reaching a good deal.
Mr Davis said Prime Minister Theresa May would brief fellow EU leaders at a summit on Thursday on the UK’s approach to the rights of expatriate citizens, which will be set out in detail in a paper on Monday.
Mr Barnier made clear the talks, beginning a year after the UK’s Brexit referendum, would take place according to a timetable set by the EU, under which progress on the terms of withdrawal must be made before discussions on a future trading relationship.
Speaking alongside Mr Davis at a Brussels press conference, he said: “For both the European Union and the United Kingdom, a fair deal is possible and far better than no deal.
“That is what I said to David today. That’s why we will work all the time with the UK and never against the UK. There will be no hostility on my side.
“I will display a constructive attitude firmly based on the interests and support of the 27 [member nations].”
The first stage of negotiations will cover the issue of the rights of EU citizens in the UK and Britons living in other EU countries, as well as the “single financial settlement” of outstanding liabilities, and issues surrounding the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, he said.
Mr Barnier did not put a figure on the settlement likely to be required from the UK, estimated by some in Brussels at as much as 100 billion euro (£88bn).
But he made clear that only when the other 27 member states are satisfied that sufficient progress is being made on this issue that the talks can move on to the future trade relationship.
He said: “We have to clear the accounts and we have to honour our mutual financial commitments”