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Brexit: Barnier urges more 'clarity' from the UK Brexit: UK and EU at odds over 'exit bill'
(35 minutes later)
The EU's chief Brexit negotiator has urged the UK for more "clarity" on where it stands on key issues such as citizens rights and the "divorce bill". The UK must say where it stands on the EU divorce bill before talks on a trade deal can start, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator has said.
Michel Barnier said progress had been made in talks with David Davis in areas where the UK position was clear. Michel Barnier also wanted greater clarity from the UK on citizens' rights and the common travel area in Ireland.
But there were still differences on how citizens' residence rights will be "guaranteed" and how it will maintain the common travel area in Ireland. UK Brexit Secretary David Davis said talks on the exit bill had been "robust" but there was a lot to be "positive" about overall.
He was speaking at a media conference at the end of the second week of talks. The pair were speaking at the end of the second week of negotiations.
Mr Barnier said there had been some areas of agreement about how Britons living abroad and EU nationals living in the UK should be treated after Brexit. Mr Barnier said: "We require this clarification on the financial settlement, on citizens' rights, on Ireland - with the two key points of the common travel area and the Good Friday Agreement - and the other separation issues where this week's experience has quite simply shown we make better progress where our respective positions are clear."
He said there had been some areas of agreement about how Britons living abroad and EU nationals living in the UK should be treated after Brexit.
But he said Brussels believed citizens' rights should be backed by the Court of Justice of the European Union - something Prime Minister Theresa May has ruled out.But he said Brussels believed citizens' rights should be backed by the Court of Justice of the European Union - something Prime Minister Theresa May has ruled out.
There was also disagreement over "the rights of future family members or the exports of certain social benefits", he added.There was also disagreement over "the rights of future family members or the exports of certain social benefits", he added.
Mr Barnier said a clarification of the UK's position on settling its outstanding debts to the EU when it leaves - the so-called "divorce bill" - was also needed. Mr Barnier the EU was not ready to compromise in the negotiations until the UK accepts its financial obligations.
"As soon as the United Kingdom is prepared to clarify the nature of its commitments we will be prepared to discuss this with the British negotiators," he said. "I know one has to compromise in negotiations but we are not there yet. When I say, and I think I was very clear and transparent about that, that there are things that are inseparable from others.
Brexit Secretary David Davis said talks had been "robust" on the exit bill but there was a lot to be "positive" about in terms of the overall negotiations. "That's the financial settlement, let's be very clear. We want clarity on that because we need to be able work more until we come to areas of compromise."
Mr Davis said: "We both recognise the importance of sorting out the obligations we have to one another, both legally and in a spirit of mutual cooperation."
And he added: "We have had robust but constructive talks this week. Clearly there's a lot left to talk about and further work before we can resolve this. Ultimately getting to a solution will require flexibility from both sides."
Mr Davis also told the news conference in Brussels Britain could "make it work" if it had to walk away from a "punishment" trade deal with the EU, but added: "Nobody expects a punishment deal. Michel and I are going for a good deal."
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said the EU can "go whistle" if it demands an "extortionate" payment but other ministers have struck a more conciliatory tone. Sources have suggested to the BBC the bill could be between 30 and 50 million euros.
The EU has said talks won't move on to the subject of future trading arrangements until it judges there's been adequate progress on the separation issues.The EU has said talks won't move on to the subject of future trading arrangements until it judges there's been adequate progress on the separation issues.
The two sides are meeting for four days each month, with this week's talks aimed at scoping out points of difference and common ground in those areas that have been identified as requiring urgent attention.The two sides are meeting for four days each month, with this week's talks aimed at scoping out points of difference and common ground in those areas that have been identified as requiring urgent attention.
Meanwhile, the UK government has announced that MPs are set to debate the repeal bill - a key piece of Brexit legislation that will transform EU laws into British laws - for two days from 7 September.Meanwhile, the UK government has announced that MPs are set to debate the repeal bill - a key piece of Brexit legislation that will transform EU laws into British laws - for two days from 7 September.