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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) | |
Meanwhile, the prime minister’s chief of staff, Gavin Barwell, provides a textbook example of trying to please everyone at once: | |
PM's chief of staff commenting on deal here https://t.co/J5qmCNsh5U | |
And here - this is how No 10 is trying to sell the deal to both sides of the public, as well as the two halves of the Tory party https://t.co/p7Lf4zNbls | |
Speaking in her Maidenhead constituency, Theresa May told reporters: | |
This is an important step on the road to delivering the smooth and orderly Brexit that people voted for in June of last year. The UK and the EU have shown what can be achieved by commitment and perseverance on both sides. | |
I am pleased that it has been agreed that we should make rapid progress on an implementation period, which will give certainty to businesses and to individuals. There is still more to do but we are well on the road to delivering a Brexit that will make Britain strong, prosperous and secure. | |
While the EU negotiating guidelines make clear that there will essentially be full membership for the two year transition period, up to 2021, including adherence to EU law and the four freedoms, May insisted this did not have the effect of pushing back the exit date. She said: | |
We will leave the European Union on the 29th of March 2019. | |
The prime minister said: | |
There’s still more to do, but we’re well on the road to achieving the Brexit that the UK voted for | |
The prime minister has told reporters that phase two Brexit talks will start “straight away”, despite Jean-Claude Juncker saying they will commence in March next year. | The prime minister has told reporters that phase two Brexit talks will start “straight away”, despite Jean-Claude Juncker saying they will commence in March next year. |
EU leaders have give the green light for Brexit negotiations to move to phase two, addressing Britain’s future relationship with the bloc. They ruled that sufficient progress had been made on the opening issues to go forward. | EU leaders have give the green light for Brexit negotiations to move to phase two, addressing Britain’s future relationship with the bloc. They ruled that sufficient progress had been made on the opening issues to go forward. |
The European Council president, Donald Tusk, congratulated Theresa May but later warned that the second phase talks would be tougher. Tusk said it was “still realistic” to complete phase two Brexit talks by the October deadline but, in comments echoed by Angela Merkel, he told reporters that the next phase would be “more demanding, more challenging”. | The European Council president, Donald Tusk, congratulated Theresa May but later warned that the second phase talks would be tougher. Tusk said it was “still realistic” to complete phase two Brexit talks by the October deadline but, in comments echoed by Angela Merkel, he told reporters that the next phase would be “more demanding, more challenging”. |
May called the decision “an important step on the road to delivering a smooth and orderly Brexit”. The Brexit secretary David Davis called it a milestone, declaring: “We are ready for the next stage.” | May called the decision “an important step on the road to delivering a smooth and orderly Brexit”. The Brexit secretary David Davis called it a milestone, declaring: “We are ready for the next stage.” |
The European Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, said that the “real negotiations” on the second phase would not begin until March next year. That is the date when the negotiation guidelines say that the framework for trade talks will be issued. | The European Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, said that the “real negotiations” on the second phase would not begin until March next year. That is the date when the negotiation guidelines say that the framework for trade talks will be issued. |
Five leading British business groups welcomed the news but warned that that jobs were at risk unless swift progress was made in the second phase. | Five leading British business groups welcomed the news but warned that that jobs were at risk unless swift progress was made in the second phase. |
Tusk and Juncker are asked about Brexit again (they are taking question on a range of other issues as well). | Tusk and Juncker are asked about Brexit again (they are taking question on a range of other issues as well). |
Tusk says: | Tusk says: |
The second phase will I think be more challenging than the first phase. | The second phase will I think be more challenging than the first phase. |
Juncker says the draft withdrawal agreement will be drawn up “in the course of the next weeks”. But he adds: | Juncker says the draft withdrawal agreement will be drawn up “in the course of the next weeks”. But he adds: |
The real negotiations on the second phase will begin in March next year. I cannot say when they will conclude. | The real negotiations on the second phase will begin in March next year. I cannot say when they will conclude. |
Earlier, Angela Merkel said that the decision to move on to phase two represented “quite significant progress”. | Earlier, Angela Merkel said that the decision to move on to phase two represented “quite significant progress”. |
The German chancellor said: | The German chancellor said: |
Phase two may now be ushered in, but obviously that is an even tougher piece of negotiation than we have had up to now. | Phase two may now be ushered in, but obviously that is an even tougher piece of negotiation than we have had up to now. |
The good news is that all 27 member states so far have put in tremendous efforts, have stood together, and I am very optimistic that we will continue to go forward in quite the same spirit. | The good news is that all 27 member states so far have put in tremendous efforts, have stood together, and I am very optimistic that we will continue to go forward in quite the same spirit. |
Emmanuel Macron, who appeared alongside Merkel at a joint press conference, said he “fully agreed” with the Chancellor’s comments, adding: | Emmanuel Macron, who appeared alongside Merkel at a joint press conference, said he “fully agreed” with the Chancellor’s comments, adding: |
We managed to keep the unity of the 27, the integrity of the single market, compliant with our rules. | We managed to keep the unity of the 27, the integrity of the single market, compliant with our rules. |
In the future we will do what it takes to do the same. | In the future we will do what it takes to do the same. |
Another quote from Tusk from the press conference in Brussels: | Another quote from Tusk from the press conference in Brussels: |
At a Brussels press conference, he said: | At a Brussels press conference, he said: |
As for the framework for future relations, it is now time for internal EU27 preparations and exploratory contacts with the UK to get more clarity on their vision. | As for the framework for future relations, it is now time for internal EU27 preparations and exploratory contacts with the UK to get more clarity on their vision. |
On that basis, we should adopt guidelines and start negotiations next year. | On that basis, we should adopt guidelines and start negotiations next year. |
I trust that the unity on the EU side will continue. | I trust that the unity on the EU side will continue. |
Jean-Claude Juncker essentially echoed Tusk’s comments. | Jean-Claude Juncker essentially echoed Tusk’s comments. |
He also praised Juri Ratas, the prime minister of Estonia, which currently holds the presidency of the European Union, for maintaining unity in the face of those who he said sought to impose division. | He also praised Juri Ratas, the prime minister of Estonia, which currently holds the presidency of the European Union, for maintaining unity in the face of those who he said sought to impose division. |
Theresa May was "she was tough, smart, polite and friendly negotiator" says Jean-Claude Juncker. He jokes that he made her come to Brussels 6am London time last Friday as a "sanction" in negotiations | Theresa May was "she was tough, smart, polite and friendly negotiator" says Jean-Claude Juncker. He jokes that he made her come to Brussels 6am London time last Friday as a "sanction" in negotiations |
The Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker press conference has begun. | The Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker press conference has begun. |
The European Council president is up first. | The European Council president is up first. |
Tusk says: | Tusk says: |
Opening the second phase of negotiations wouldn’t be possible with the unity of the EU27, the hard work of [EU chief negotiator] Michele Barnier and the constructive effort of Theresa May. | Opening the second phase of negotiations wouldn’t be possible with the unity of the EU27, the hard work of [EU chief negotiator] Michele Barnier and the constructive effort of Theresa May. |
He calls for the unity to be maintained and for “more clarity on their [the UK’s] vision” | He calls for the unity to be maintained and for “more clarity on their [the UK’s] vision” |
Well-placed MEPs have told the Guardian that despite the drama that has accompanied the first phase of Brexit negotiations, there is an air of inevitability to the way talks are playing out. | Well-placed MEPs have told the Guardian that despite the drama that has accompanied the first phase of Brexit negotiations, there is an air of inevitability to the way talks are playing out. |
Greek MEP Giorgos Kyrtsos, an avid Brexit watcher who sits on the European Parliament’s economic and monetary affairs committee, said: | Greek MEP Giorgos Kyrtsos, an avid Brexit watcher who sits on the European Parliament’s economic and monetary affairs committee, said: |
Every party, playing to electorates at home, wants to dramatise the situation. The French want to be seen as a dominant player, the Germans want to be regarded practical, given the lack of government in Berlin but the truth is the EU is not being as tough as it said it would be and Mrs May has survived the ordeal. There is an inevitability to what we are seeing. | Every party, playing to electorates at home, wants to dramatise the situation. The French want to be seen as a dominant player, the Germans want to be regarded practical, given the lack of government in Berlin but the truth is the EU is not being as tough as it said it would be and Mrs May has survived the ordeal. There is an inevitability to what we are seeing. |
Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron are giving a press conference. | Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron are giving a press conference. |
The German chancellor said phase two negotiations on Brexit will be an “even tougher piece of negotiations”. | The German chancellor said phase two negotiations on Brexit will be an “even tougher piece of negotiations”. |
She praised the “unity” of the 27 member states as did Macron. | She praised the “unity” of the 27 member states as did Macron. |
He said: | He said: |
We managed to keep the integrity of the single market and compliance with our rules. | We managed to keep the integrity of the single market and compliance with our rules. |