May on course to trigger EU divorce talks

BREXIT BILL MOVES TO HOUSE OF LORDS AFTER MPS SUPPORT IT OVERWHELMINGLY

May has drawn criticism for refusing to guarantee the rights of Europeans in Britain, but has argued that she must first ensure reciprocal assurances for Britons living elsewhere in the EU.

B ritish Prime Minister Theresa May said yesterday that she would trigger formal divorce talks with the European Union by the end of March, addressing a press conference with her counterpart from Italy Paolo Gentiloni, yesterday.

Gentiloni said there was no need for “destructive” negotiations on Britain’s withdrawal from the EU, after talks with May at Number 10 Downing Street in London.

Just weeks before the British leader is expected to start the formal process of Brexit, Gentiloni spoke in conciliatory terms about a divorce that has already sparked harsh words on both sides.

“We are aware of the fact that the negotiations will not be easy,” Gentiloni said at the joint press conference.

“We also know, and this will be certainly the Italian attitude, that we need to show a constructive and friendly approach.

“There is absolutely no point in having a destructive negotiation between the EU and the UK.”

The two leaders discussed the issue of the post-Brexit status of EU citizens living in Britain, alongside the question of migration into Europe, counter-terrorism and the challenge of Russia.

May has drawn criticism for refusing to guarantee the rights of Europeans in Britain, but has argued that she must first ensure reciprocal assurances for Britons living elsewhere in the EU.

She said: “When I trigger Article 50 I will make clear that I want this issue to be addressed at an early stage of the negotiations.”

Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon treaty starts two years of exit negotiations. British MPs on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to support a bill empowering May to begin the Brexit process, and the legislation moved to the unelected upper House of Lords yesterday.

But MPs rejected an attempt to amend the bill to include a guarantee for EU citizens. THE VIEWS United Kingdom needs a post-Brexit reshaping, Labour MP Wes Streeting writes

Paris

plans to build a barrier around the Eiffel Tower to limit the risk of terrorism.

The city is setting aside 20 million euros for the project and will evaluate proposals with consideration for their aesthetics.

The idea is to have a “permanent and aesthetic barrier,” said Jean-Francois Martins, a city official. “Sadly the risk of terrorism hasn’t gone away,” he said.

The Eiffel Tower receives roughly seven million visitors a year. (Bloomberg)