Brexit to the next phase
European Union demands more openness from May
The negotiations on the departure of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU) can to the next phase† EU leaders agree that the agreements made about the divorce are enough to talk about the future relationship. That reports Business Insider.
The agreement in principle revolves around financial settlement, the rights of EU citizens and the Irish-Northern-Irish border. "We now need the legally binding text as soon as possible," said Prime Minister Mark Rutte. "If that succeeds, and at the same time we can start a first tentative discussion about future relationships, then we could limit the damage. That is ultimately my goal."
Brits must put cards on the table
According to Rutte, it is now time for British Prime Minister Theresa May to clarify how she wants to shape that future relationship. This is also the view of EU negotiator Michel Barnier.
The EU has informed the UK that it has 3 months to decide what kind of trade deal it wants to conclude before concrete negotiations are started. While EU member states agree that enough progress has been made in the Brexit talks, they want to know from May what exactly her government wants to achieve with the negotiations.
Actual negotiations on the EU's future trade relationship with the UK cannot therefore start until March; just 8 months before EU leaders want to present a final deal to the European Parliament.
Make goals known
Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Thursday 14 December that May must announce her goals quickly. "She's holding her cards to her chest at the moment, which I understand for the next stage. It's probably a negotiating tactic. But we do need to understand how she envisions the future relationship with the EU. It's time for the UK to make a choice."
However, May is reluctant to take a concrete position in March. She fears that, whatever clear line, tensions over Brexit within her own party will rise again.
Negotiations take priority
During the European summit in Brussels, May already informed European leaders on Thursday that negotiations about a transition period will be given priority. Reportedly, this message was answered with applause, deployed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "I believe this is in the interest of both the UK and the European Union," May said. "With a transition period agreement, we can provide more certainty to companies in the UK and the 27 EU countries."
But the British Prime Minister was also told that she must clarify the desired trade relationship with the EU before the actual negotiations can start. Finance Minister Philip Hammond said last week that there had been no talks within the cabinet about what the outcome of the negotiations should look like.
'Canada plus plus'
Brexit Secretary David Davis has already proposed a 'Canada plus plus' deal. This would copy the trade agreement between the EU and Canada (CETA), with the addition of an agreement on the provision of services.
Such a grand and complicated deal would require more than 5 years of negotiation. In addition, the agreement should be ratified by all national and regional parliaments of all EU Member States. It took 7 years to realize CETA.
The British government will meet again on Tuesday 19 December to discuss for the first time how they envision the end result of Brexit.
Read more on Business Insider:
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