‘We are ready’ Michel Barnier confirms EU leaders to begin Brexit talks
EUROPE’S chief Brexit negotiator today got the green light from EU leaders to set the bloc on collision course with Britain when talks begin next month.
By ALISON LITTLE
Express.co.uk
Mon, May 22, 2017
They agreed in Brussels that there must be “sufficient progress” on agreeing Britain’s “divorce bill” before discussions can start about a post-Brexit trade deal.
The EU’s long-held view of how the talks should proceed is at odds with Britain’s insistence that any exit fee can and must be discussed in parallel with hammering out the shape of future relations between the UK and the Continent.
Brexit Secretary David Davis, who has previously forecast a summer of “rows”, made clear again this weekend that Britain is serious about walking away without a deal if Brussels insists on sorting out the money first.
And last week Mr Davis told the Daily Express that Theresa May’s approach has shown that Britain would not be bullied into a bad deal – and that he spends half his working days preparing for a “no deal” outcome.
Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier told reporters that he did not want to think about the possibility of talks ending without agreement, saying that was “not my option”.
He confirmed he expects talks with Britain to open in the week of June 19 – less than two weeks after our general election.
The Rest…HERE