EU clears way for Brexit trade talks

Theresa May has said Britain will enter negotiations on its future relationship with the EU in “a spirit of co-operation”, after leaders of the remaining 27 member states cleared the wayfortradetalkstobegin.

The EU27 opened the door for trade negotiations by endorsing a deal on Britain’s 21-month transition to Brexit and approving guidelines designed to deliver a “balanced, ambitious and wide-ranging” free trade agreement with the UK.

The decision at the European Council summit in Brussels sets the scene for months of intensive and complex talks on trade in goods and services, as well as Britain’s security relationship with the EU.

European Commission president Jean-claude Juncker said that it took “less than half a minute” for the guidelines to be approved, in what he said was a demonstration of the “united front of the member states, the 27”.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the decision allowed the “regrettable” process of Brexit to proceed, adding that the EU27 “will not allow ourselves to be divided, but will maintain our unity”. Mrs May said she felt there was now “a new dynamic” in the negotiations.