EU says it’s Europe 1, Britain 0 on Brexit

Officials in 27 countries hope May will realise they have upper hand

European Union leaders headed into their first Brexit summit are convinced that when it comes to the pending talks with the UK they’re already winning.

Governments approached yesterday’s meeting in Brussels by repeatedly toughening their negotiating position and reinforcing the united front they adopted since Britain voted to quit the bloc last June. Prime Minister Theresa May’s administration, meanwhile, has shown a willingness to give ground on key matters involving The goal of the Brussels meeting is to rubber-stamp guidelines for the talks, which are now set to begin after the UK’s June 8 election. The drafting of the strategy over the past month has gone remarkably smoothly, said EU diplomats in Brussels and national capitals. The result is a common position based around ensuring Britain pays a price for leaving and isn’t better off outside the bloc so that others won’t try to follow. Among the aims listed in the document are that the British pay a financial settlement before they get to discuss a future trade deal. finance,

The British concessions mean EU officials in the 27 countries are increasingly hopeful that May will realise that the terms of Brexit will be set by them more than her. The need for the UK to be pragmatic in unravelling 44 years of membership trade and immigration. was highlighted last week by German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s warning that May’s government shouldn’t be under any illusion that Europe will be soft on it.

“We need to remain united,” EU President Donald Tusk said as he arrived at the summit.