No return to hard border as EU draws Brexit lines
EU leaders yesterday agreed tough guidelines for Brexit ruling there should be no return to a hard border in the North.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny and 26 other leaders took just one minute to approve eight pages of negotiating guidelines as they sat down to lunch in Brussels.
In a strong show of unity they set red lines on three key issues – citizens’ rights, a financial settlement and the Irish border.
The guidelines specify the Good Friday Agreement should be maintained “in all its parts” with no return to a hard border.
British Prime Minister Theresa May accused the bloc of “lining up against” the UK ahead of the talks on a post-brexit trade deal.
But summit president Donald Tusk said of the upcoming negotiations: “We will handle it with genuine care, but firmly.
UNITED
“We need to remain united as EU27.
“It is only then that we will be able to conclude the negotiations. Which means our unity is also in the UK’S interest.”
The guidelines will ensure the UK secures the rights of three million EU expats living there as well as paying tens of billions of euros to Brussels.
They also rule out discussing the free trade deal – something Mrs May was keen to progress ahead of other issues.
Mr Tusk said: “Before discussing the future, we have to sort out our past.”
His comments were echoed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel who said “substantive issues” must be settled first.
Several countries, including Ireland, will bid to host two EU agencies set to be moved from London – the European Medicines Agency and the European Banking Authority.