THE LONG TALK TO FREEDOM...
Two-year exit process kicks off
BREXIT talks began “extremely positively” yesterday with Britain “determined to get on with the job”.
David Davis took a team of eight to Brussels to face the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier.
The Brexit Secretary exchanged hiking gifts with his counterpart to symbolise the uphill challenge ahead.
Talks were “very constructive”, however the EU warned that “the clock is ticking”.
Securing a quick deal on citizens’ rights is the top priority.
The divorce bill, Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement are also high on the agenda.
A week of talks will take place once a month, with the next due to start on July 17.
The first phase of talks will include the UK’s “divorce bill” and citizens’ rights – while talks on a trade deal will only begin in October at the earliest, according to the timetable set out by Brussels.
Mr Davis quoted Sir Winston Churchill, saying he was an “optimist who sees opportunity in difficulty”. Britain vowed to secure a “deal like no other in history” at the start of the complex 18-month process.
Mr Barnier said: “We will work all the time with the UK and never against the UK. There will be no hostility on my side. A fair deal is possible, and far better than no deal.” EU leaders warned Britain could end up with a “brutal Brexit” because of Theresa May’s weak government. She lost her majority in the election, making it harder to pass sticky parts of Brexit such as the £87billion settlement bill.
Germany hinted they would back a soft Brexit. It would give us control over laws and access to the single market in return for free movement of people.
Chancellor Philip Hammond yesterday warned no deal would be a “very, very bad outcome”.
However, Environment Secretary and staunch Leave campaigner Michael Gove said he still wanted to “take back control of our laws and our borders”.