This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-43001931

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Barnier: Brexit transition 'not a given' Brexit: Transition period not 'a given', says Barnier
(35 minutes later)
EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has warned that a transition period immediately after Brexit in 2019 is "not a given".EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has warned that a transition period immediately after Brexit in 2019 is "not a given".
He outlined continuing disagreements between the UK and EU over issues like freedom of movement during the period.He outlined continuing disagreements between the UK and EU over issues like freedom of movement during the period.
He also said the UK's decision to leave the EU single market and customs union meant border checks at the Irish border were "unavoidable".He also said the UK's decision to leave the EU single market and customs union meant border checks at the Irish border were "unavoidable".
The transition period is expected to span 29 March 2019 to 31 December 2020.The transition period is expected to span 29 March 2019 to 31 December 2020.
Mr Barnier, speaking after a week of technical discussions between civil servants on both sides, said that "substantial" disagreements remained over the transition period. Mr Barnier, speaking after a week of technical discussions between civil servants on both sides, said that three "substantial" disagreements remained over the transition period.
These included the rights of EU citizens who arrive in the UK after the official Brexit date to keep freedom of movement rights after the transition period ends and the right of the UK to object to EU rules during the period. These are:
"If these disagreements persist the transition is not a given," he said. "To be frank, I am surprised by these disagreements. The positions of the EU are very logical, I think," said Mr Barnier.
He denied he was making a "threat" but added: "You have to bear in mind what the United Kingdom has said, I have some problems understanding the UK position." 'Not vindictive'
He said the UK must "accept the ineluctable consequences of its decision to leave the EU, to leave its institutions and its policies".
"If these disagreements persist the transition is not a given."
He also hit back his UK counterpart David Davis's suggestion that the European Commission had been "discourteous" by suggesting in a draft document the UK could see some benefits - such as access to the single market - withdrawn, if disputes during the transition period could not be resolved.He also hit back his UK counterpart David Davis's suggestion that the European Commission had been "discourteous" by suggesting in a draft document the UK could see some benefits - such as access to the single market - withdrawn, if disputes during the transition period could not be resolved.
He said he was "not in the least discourteous or vindictive" adding: "It's totally foreign to my state of mind." He said he had "not been in the least discourteous or vindictive" adding: "It's totally foreign to my state of mind."
"Quite simply we have to construct a withdrawal agreement which is legally sound and does not give rise to any uncertainty in anyone's mind."
'Awaiting solutions'
On the thorny issue of the border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, Mr Barnier said there was agreement that a hard border must be avoided, but added: "It is important to tell the truth.
"A UK decision to leave the single market and to leave the customs union would make border checks unavoidable."
He said that there had been agreement that, without an alternative, Northern Ireland would have to maintain "full regulatory alignment" with the EU - and it was important to now start "legally defining how this scenario would work in operational terms".
"Time is short - very short - and we haven't a minute to lose if we want to succeed. And we do want to succeed in this orderly withdrawal."