EU, minus Britain, sets framework for Brexit negotiations

BRUSSELS — The leaders of the European Union met Saturday in Brussels without Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain and unanimously endorsed guidelines to negotiate the end of more than four decades of British membership in the bloc.

The summit meeting is the first of its kind.

The leaders, including Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and President François Hollande of France, backed a tough strategy on negotiating Britain’s exit, or Brexit, which could eventually force the government in London to make politically awkward choices.

The idea is to force Britain to reach a deal on the terms of its divorce before starting talks on relations.

“Obviously we will stand up for our interests as Britain too will stand up for its interests,” Merkel told a news conference after the summit meeting. “We’re trying to forge a strong European Union of 27. This is the sort of spirit with which we approach these negotiations.”

One of the thorniest issues is getting Britain to guarantee that the 3 million citizens of other EU nations who are living in Britain and the 1.2 million Britons living in the European Union can maintain their residency rights and other entitlements.

Safeguarding citizens’ rights was “priority No. 1,” Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, the body that represents the bloc’s leaders, told a news conference after the meeting. “Today’s discussion made clear that when it comes to reaching a decision on citizens’ rights not only speed is of the essence but above all quality, as so many people’s lives depend on it,” he said.

The leaders also called on Britain to meet its outstanding financial obligations so other member states can avoid paying higher costs. The outstanding bill could amount to as much as 60 billion euros, about $65 billion. But British citizens and politicians are balking at paying such a large sum.