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| EU leaders agree to move to second-stage Brexit talks - Politics Live | EU leaders agree to move to second-stage Brexit talks - Politics Live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| It looks like Juncker and Tusk’s press conference has been put back to 12.50pm UK time. Sky News says it is probably running late because Juncker is on the phone to May. | |
| It will be livestreamed here. | |
| The secretary of state for exiting the European Union is happy: | |
| Today is a good day for Brexit and an important step for Britain. Thanks to hard work and determination, we have reached an important milestone and have achieved #sufficientprogress. There is still lots of work to come but we are ready for the next stage. | |
| Leo Varadkar has admitted that the hard work is still to come on the Irish border deal. | |
| The prime minister of Ireland, who threatened to veto today’s deal if he didn’t get what he ultimately described as a “bullet proof” guarantee on the Irish border, told reporters “there was a lot of thinking to be done about that” once phase two negotiations get underway. | |
| The Irish border deal calls for the UK to come up with a “bespoke solution” for the border if the wider UK-EU deal doesn’t resolve the problem of how to keep “full alignment” in regulation north and south of the border. Varadkar said: | |
| From an Irish point of view we’d like to look like as near as the current relationship as possible, but that wouldn’t necessarily be the view of everyone. | |
| The pound has dropped back after its early gains despite the agreement to move Brexit talks on to the second phase. It is now down 0.26% against the dollar at $1.3394, its low of the day. Against the euro it has dropped 0.39% to €1.1350.Sterling has been unsettled by comments from EC president Jean-Claude Juncker about the difficulties ahead. | |
| William Anderson Jones, head of UK corporate dealing at foreign exchange specialist RationalFX, said: | |
| The pound slipped against its major peers as [Juncker] warned that phase two of talks, focused around trade, would be even more difficult. | |
| Positive sentiments from EU leaders suggest that the talks will continue to advance to the much desired trade and transition talks, but all echo Juncker’s warning over the difficulty of talks to come. | |
| The prime minister has responded on Twitter to the decision taken at the EU summit: | |
| Thank you to Presidents @JunckerEU and @donaldtusk. Today is an important step on the road to delivering a smooth and orderly Brexit and forging our deep and special future partnership. https://t.co/PSaATiA17n | |
| Five business groups - the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), Confederation of British Industry (CBI), EEF (manufacturers’ organisation), Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Institute of Directors (IOD) - have jointly welcomed the progression to phase two of Brexit talks. But they said much more work was needed. | Five business groups - the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), Confederation of British Industry (CBI), EEF (manufacturers’ organisation), Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Institute of Directors (IOD) - have jointly welcomed the progression to phase two of Brexit talks. But they said much more work was needed. |
| We welcome the fact that the European Council has approved the progression of talks to the discussion of a transition period, and a future trade relationship. | We welcome the fact that the European Council has approved the progression of talks to the discussion of a transition period, and a future trade relationship. |
| It is our collective view that the transition period must now be agreed as soon as possible, to give businesses in every region and nation of the UK time to prepare for the future relationship. Further delays to discussions on an EU-UK trade deal could have damaging consequences for business investment and trade, as firms in 2018 review their investment plans and strategies. | It is our collective view that the transition period must now be agreed as soon as possible, to give businesses in every region and nation of the UK time to prepare for the future relationship. Further delays to discussions on an EU-UK trade deal could have damaging consequences for business investment and trade, as firms in 2018 review their investment plans and strategies. |
| While our members will be particularly pleased that EU citizens currently living and working in the UK now have more clarity, it’s still essential that an unequivocal commitment on their future rights is made whatever the outcome of negotiations. | While our members will be particularly pleased that EU citizens currently living and working in the UK now have more clarity, it’s still essential that an unequivocal commitment on their future rights is made whatever the outcome of negotiations. |
| We will continue to work with the government to ensure that UK firms can overcome the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities that a new trading relationship with the EU and the rest of the world will bring. | We will continue to work with the government to ensure that UK firms can overcome the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities that a new trading relationship with the EU and the rest of the world will bring. |
| The EU has issued negotiating guidelines for phase two of the Brexit talks, which essentially say there will be full membership until the end of the transition period. | The EU has issued negotiating guidelines for phase two of the Brexit talks, which essentially say there will be full membership until the end of the transition period. |
| EU says all EU Law will apply until end of transition, assumed to be 2021, and we have to stick with all four freedoms, which means EU immigration carries on as is for five years after the referendum https://t.co/e94kyrXjTI | EU says all EU Law will apply until end of transition, assumed to be 2021, and we have to stick with all four freedoms, which means EU immigration carries on as is for five years after the referendum https://t.co/e94kyrXjTI |
| It has also confirmed that guidelines for trade talks will not be issued until March. | It has also confirmed that guidelines for trade talks will not be issued until March. |
| EU confirms guidlines for framework trade talks won't be issued until March. Until then the negotiations will be about the transition period. Says before March it needs more info from UK about what sort of relationship it wants. | EU confirms guidlines for framework trade talks won't be issued until March. Until then the negotiations will be about the transition period. Says before March it needs more info from UK about what sort of relationship it wants. |
| Here’s Simon Jenkins’s immediate reaction to the news from the EU leaders’ summit: | Here’s Simon Jenkins’s immediate reaction to the news from the EU leaders’ summit: |
| So far, good news. But now, and before any substantive talks on future trade, a UK/EU transition deal must be negotiated, and fast. It must cover commercial relations with the EU for a period after 2019, pending talks on a permanent deal, and that cannot legally be reached before then. Here is the rub. Such a transition deal can only be asymmetrical: Britain must continue to obey EU trade regulations, treaties and jurisdictions without any role in their adjustment. Unless the UK is to fall off the proverbial cliff in 2019, it means de facto customs union for the duration. | So far, good news. But now, and before any substantive talks on future trade, a UK/EU transition deal must be negotiated, and fast. It must cover commercial relations with the EU for a period after 2019, pending talks on a permanent deal, and that cannot legally be reached before then. Here is the rub. Such a transition deal can only be asymmetrical: Britain must continue to obey EU trade regulations, treaties and jurisdictions without any role in their adjustment. Unless the UK is to fall off the proverbial cliff in 2019, it means de facto customs union for the duration. |
| At this point, a steam train hurtles round the bend, heading straight for a divided parliamentary Conservative party. Customs union, even as a transitional measure, comes packed with all the backsliding baggage so loathed by Brexit fundamentalists. It might tie Britain’s hands in third-party talks. It might mean a shortcut back to the single market, the Norway option or the Swiss gambit. | At this point, a steam train hurtles round the bend, heading straight for a divided parliamentary Conservative party. Customs union, even as a transitional measure, comes packed with all the backsliding baggage so loathed by Brexit fundamentalists. It might tie Britain’s hands in third-party talks. It might mean a shortcut back to the single market, the Norway option or the Swiss gambit. |
| The European commission president has confirmed what we were expecting: | The European commission president has confirmed what we were expecting: |
| EU leaders agree to move on to the second phase of #Brexit talks. Congratulations PM @theresa_may | EU leaders agree to move on to the second phase of #Brexit talks. Congratulations PM @theresa_may |
| Writing for Comment is Free, Jonathan Portes, senior fellow of UK in a Changing Europe, says the idea that Parliament will have a meaningful say on Brexit, following this week’s amendment requiring MPs to get a vote on any final deal with the EU, is a false one. | Writing for Comment is Free, Jonathan Portes, senior fellow of UK in a Changing Europe, says the idea that Parliament will have a meaningful say on Brexit, following this week’s amendment requiring MPs to get a vote on any final deal with the EU, is a false one. |
| He writes: | He writes: |
| By then it will be too late. The UK’s negotiating position on this all-important aspect of Brexit will have to be set out in the next couple of months. If parliament actually wants a meaningful voice on this – perhaps the most important single choice about the future of the UK economy since the mid-1970s – it needs to act now. | By then it will be too late. The UK’s negotiating position on this all-important aspect of Brexit will have to be set out in the next couple of months. If parliament actually wants a meaningful voice on this – perhaps the most important single choice about the future of the UK economy since the mid-1970s – it needs to act now. |
| It should insist that, before we table anything in Brussels for the phase 2 negotiations, there should be a proper debate in parliament. Let’s settle the things we didn’t and couldn’t decide in the referendum. Do we care more about the freedom to set our own regulations or about being part of the largest single market in the world? Do we care more about ending free movement or about preserving free trade with Europe? Do we care more about “frictionless” borders in Ireland and Dover or about trade deals with the US? These are vitally important political and economic questions, with no “right” answers. And they shouldn’t be left to a weak prime minister and her divided cabinet and party. | It should insist that, before we table anything in Brussels for the phase 2 negotiations, there should be a proper debate in parliament. Let’s settle the things we didn’t and couldn’t decide in the referendum. Do we care more about the freedom to set our own regulations or about being part of the largest single market in the world? Do we care more about ending free movement or about preserving free trade with Europe? Do we care more about “frictionless” borders in Ireland and Dover or about trade deals with the US? These are vitally important political and economic questions, with no “right” answers. And they shouldn’t be left to a weak prime minister and her divided cabinet and party. |
| The Press Association has details of what the EU leaders ate for dinner last night because people are apparently interested in these things. | The Press Association has details of what the EU leaders ate for dinner last night because people are apparently interested in these things. |
| They had B̶o̶r̶i̶s̶ ̶J̶o̶h̶n̶s̶o̶n̶ roasted langoustines for starter followed by a main course of T̶h̶e̶r̶e̶s̶a̶ ̶M̶a̶y̶ capon and D̶a̶v̶i̶d̶ ̶D̶a̶v̶i̶s̶ festive log “with a twist” for dessert. | They had B̶o̶r̶i̶s̶ ̶J̶o̶h̶n̶s̶o̶n̶ roasted langoustines for starter followed by a main course of T̶h̶e̶r̶e̶s̶a̶ ̶M̶a̶y̶ capon and D̶a̶v̶i̶d̶ ̶D̶a̶v̶i̶s̶ festive log “with a twist” for dessert. |
| Lithuania’s president has offered Theresa May a Christmas message, in a tweet next to the Christmas tree in the building where EU leaders are meeting: | Lithuania’s president has offered Theresa May a Christmas message, in a tweet next to the Christmas tree in the building where EU leaders are meeting: |
| Past is history, future – a mystery. #Brexit #EUCO pic.twitter.com/cbHrMNngwn | Past is history, future – a mystery. #Brexit #EUCO pic.twitter.com/cbHrMNngwn |
| The second part of the tweet points to the fact EU leaders are still waiting to hear from the British government what it wants from Brexit. | The second part of the tweet points to the fact EU leaders are still waiting to hear from the British government what it wants from Brexit. |
| Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte told reporters last night that the UK now had to decide what it hoped to get from its future relationship with the European Union. | Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte told reporters last night that the UK now had to decide what it hoped to get from its future relationship with the European Union. |
| Is it membership or not of the internal market, will they stay in the customs union or not? If not, what would that future relationship be, what is a Canada plus plus plus [as referred to by David Davis]? This is all for the UK to now decide on how they sketch out the future relationship with the European Union. | Is it membership or not of the internal market, will they stay in the customs union or not? If not, what would that future relationship be, what is a Canada plus plus plus [as referred to by David Davis]? This is all for the UK to now decide on how they sketch out the future relationship with the European Union. |
| Here is Daniel Boffey’s story containing more reaction to Theresa May’s speech last night and details of what is expected today: | Here is Daniel Boffey’s story containing more reaction to Theresa May’s speech last night and details of what is expected today: |
| The round table on article 50 is due to commence shortly (at 10am). | The round table on article 50 is due to commence shortly (at 10am). |
| Talks about #Brexit transition period should begin in January, a cheerful-looking @MichelBarnier tells me as we chat during the European Council. #Barnierbantz episode 57. pic.twitter.com/7ymA7tBred | Talks about #Brexit transition period should begin in January, a cheerful-looking @MichelBarnier tells me as we chat during the European Council. #Barnierbantz episode 57. pic.twitter.com/7ymA7tBred |
| Not everyone agrees that the applause for Theresa May last night was wholehearted. | Not everyone agrees that the applause for Theresa May last night was wholehearted. |
| Austrian chancellor Christian Kern perhaps a tad on the mean side says applause for May ‘not very enthusiastic’ | Austrian chancellor Christian Kern perhaps a tad on the mean side says applause for May ‘not very enthusiastic’ |
| Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European commission said it “depends on the British parliament and British people” to decide whether the UK will ultimately leave the EU. | |
| Asked about the round of applause given to Theresa May at the end of her address to leaders at a summit dinner on Thursday night, Juncker said: | Asked about the round of applause given to Theresa May at the end of her address to leaders at a summit dinner on Thursday night, Juncker said: |
| Yes. Some of us thought, including me, that she did make a big effort and this has to be recognised. | Yes. Some of us thought, including me, that she did make a big effort and this has to be recognised. |
| The prime minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat, said the EU was “grateful to prime minister May for her commitments” but that he hoped the UK would present its vision “in the next few weeks” to enable trade talks after a March European council summit. | The prime minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat, said the EU was “grateful to prime minister May for her commitments” but that he hoped the UK would present its vision “in the next few weeks” to enable trade talks after a March European council summit. |
| Dalia Grybauskaitė, the president of Lithuania, also said she expected negotiations “on the future” to “probably start in March. | Dalia Grybauskaitė, the president of Lithuania, also said she expected negotiations “on the future” to “probably start in March. |
| Good morning, welcome to live coverage of the EU 27 summit. | Good morning, welcome to live coverage of the EU 27 summit. |
| After nine months of wrangling, EU leaders are set to decide that enough progress has been made on the first phase of Brexit talks to move negotiations on to discussions about Britain’s future outside the bloc. | After nine months of wrangling, EU leaders are set to decide that enough progress has been made on the first phase of Brexit talks to move negotiations on to discussions about Britain’s future outside the bloc. |
| Stay tuned for all the developments including live updates from the joint press conference by the president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, and the president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, which is scheduled for 12.30pm GMT. | Stay tuned for all the developments including live updates from the joint press conference by the president of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, and the president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, which is scheduled for 12.30pm GMT. |