Who conducts the Brexit negotiations?

Negotiations have finally started. A year after the Brexit referendum, the teams from the European Union and the United Kingdom are ready to have this difficult conversation. That reports BusinessInsider.

The outcome of these two-year talks will determine the future relationship between the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU). And thus the team members determine the future of the European Union and the United Kingdom. There is a good chance that the negotiators are unknown to many. Who are these gray officials and politicians who are in charge of the gigantic decisions?

The European Union team consists of:
1. Michel Barnier
Monsieur Brexit, as a former French Foreign Minister and multiple European Commissioner, is a seasoned politician. He knows Brussels like the back of his hand. Barnier is the head of the European Union's negotiating team and he is also very powerful. However, he has to stick to the agreements previously made between the 27 remaining EU leaders.

2.Martin Selmayr
As Jean-Claude Juncker's chief of staff, Martin Selmayr is in charge of the day-to-day management of the European Commission. This makes him one of the most powerful people in the European Union. In addition, according to some, he is the man behind the 50 billion euro Brexit bill.

3. Sabine Weyand
Weyand is the second most important negotiator after Barnier. Weyand has been working at the very top of the European Commission for years. She has been involved in international climate negotiations and major trade agreements, such as TTIP and CETA. She will therefore have few problems with complex, lengthy negotiations.

4. Stephanie Riso
Riso is Michel Barnier's lead advisor and is responsible for the strategy, coordination and communication of the negotiating team. For many years she headed the multiannual financial framework, or the financial planning of the European Union. She is also a macro-economist, specializing in fiscal and monetary policy. 

5. Didier Seeuws
Seeuws heads the Article 50 task force of the European Council. This means that he sits at the table on behalf of all European heads of government. He will also fly a lot back and forth between the European capitals, to keep all countries in line. He was the spokesman for Guy Verhofstadt when he was Prime Minister of Belgium.

6. Guy Verhofstadt
Verhofstadt is a former prime minister of Belgium, a staunch EU federalist and leader of the European liberals. He will not be at the negotiating table, but nevertheless he is important. This is because the final Brexit deal must be approved by the European Parliament. 

The United Kingdom team:
1.David Davis
Davis is Mister Brexit. He once lost out to David Cameron in the race for Conservative leadership. However, he later joined as 'Brexit minister' in Theresa May's government. He is a fervent supporter of Brexit and is valued by May.

2. Tim Barrow
Barrow is the United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the European Union. This means that he is in daily contact with the European Union to ensure that British interests are represented. This is the man who delivered the official divorce papers to the European Union.

3.Oliver Robbins
Robbins is Theresa May's advisor and is also the most senior official in the Brexit department. According to some, he is 'the real Mister Brexit'. He was appointed by Cameron after the Brexit referendum result and has held his position ever since. He's been a top civil servant since Tony Blair.

4.Philip Rycroft
Rycroft is Oliver Robbins' right-hand man and is responsible for the overall policy of the negotiating team. He is also responsible for sifting through every Brexit decision on the effects for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (to keep things together). 

Also read on BusinessInsider:
Brexit minister Davis gives in to EU wishes on day one.

Why bitcoin has nothing to do with investing.

Brexit negotiations kick off as May's government is in chaos.

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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