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-43509309

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

Version 2 Version 3
Brexit: EU adopts guidelines for negotiations on future relations Brexit: EU adopts guidelines for negotiations on future relations
(about 1 hour later)
EU leaders have approved guidelines for the negotiation of future relations with the UK after Brexit.EU leaders have approved guidelines for the negotiation of future relations with the UK after Brexit.
The text was adopted within minutes at a summit in Brussels and a "strategic discussion" about the next phase of Brexit talks is now under way. The text on trade, security and other issues was adopted within minutes in Brussels, clearing the way for the next phase of Brexit talks to get under way.
The UK is due to leave in March 2019 and negotiators have said they want a deal in place by the end of the year.The UK is due to leave in March 2019 and negotiators have said they want a deal in place by the end of the year.
Prime Minister Theresa May has said she wants a "new dynamic" in talks on an economic and security partnership. Prime Minister Theresa May said she believed there was a new "spirit of co-operation and opportunity".
The formal adoption of the guidelines, although widely expected, is seen as another key step as the Brexit process gathers momentum.The formal adoption of the guidelines, although widely expected, is seen as another key step as the Brexit process gathers momentum.
The guidelines give chief negotiator Michel Barnier the mandate to talk directly to the UK about the future relationship with a view to reaching a broad political agreement by October to allow the EU and UK parliaments time to consider it.The guidelines give chief negotiator Michel Barnier the mandate to talk directly to the UK about the future relationship with a view to reaching a broad political agreement by October to allow the EU and UK parliaments time to consider it.
The BBC's Brussels reporter Adam Fleming said the seven-page document laid out a possible future relationship with the UK, based on a free trade agreement with no tariffs on goods, partnerships on security, defence and foreign policy, and co-operation on education, research, culture and transport.
But, he added, there was also the offer of something even closer if the UK is prepared to compromise on its "red lines".
Announcing the move on social media, European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted:Announcing the move on social media, European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted:
Earlier, UK PM Theresa May told reporters: "We've made good progress on the withdrawal agreement. Mrs May, who was not present when her colleagues met to discuss Brexit, said she believed there was a "new dynamic" in the negotiations.
"But also I'm looking for a new dynamic in the next stage of the negotiations so that we can ensure that we do develop, that we work together to develop, a strong future economic and security partnership which I believe is in the interest of the UK and the European Union." "I believe we are approaching this with a spirit of co-operation, a spirit of opportunity for the future as well, and we will now be sitting down and determining those workable solutions for Northern Ireland, but also for our future security partnership and economic partnership," she said.
At a dinner on Thursday night, Mrs May said the UK and EU should work on issues like Northern Ireland, trade and security with "energy and ambition". "I believe it is in the best interest of both the UK and the EU that we get a deal that actually is in the interests of both."
"We have the chance now to work together to explore workable solutions - in Northern Ireland, in our future security co-operation and in order to ensure the future prosperity of all our people."
She added: "This is an opportunity. It is our duty to take it and to enter into it with energy and ambition."
Later on Friday, the remaining 27 leaders are set to endorse a 21-month transition period after March 2019, when the UK officially leaves.
'Backstop''Backstop'
The UK is set to leave the bloc on 29 March 2019, but earlier this week Brexit Secretary David Davis and EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier struck a deal that would allow for a transition period - which the UK government describes as an implementation period - until December 2020. The remaining 27 leaders have also endorsed an agreement reached earlier this week on a 21-month transition period between March 2019, when the UK officially leaves, and the end of 2020.
Under the terms of that joint legal text, the UK will be able to negotiate, sign and ratify its own trade deals, while EU citizens arriving in the UK will enjoy the same rights and guarantees as those who arrive before Brexit. During that period, the UK will be able to negotiate, sign and ratify its own trade deals, while EU citizens arriving in the UK will enjoy the same rights and guarantees as those who arrive before Brexit.
A solution to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland has yet to be agreed, with the EU insisting on a "backstop" option of Northern Ireland effectively remaining in the customs union.A solution to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland has yet to be agreed, with the EU insisting on a "backstop" option of Northern Ireland effectively remaining in the customs union.
EU Council president Donald Tusk said on Thursday he was "absolutely sure" a solution would be found to prevent the return of physical checks on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.EU Council president Donald Tusk said on Thursday he was "absolutely sure" a solution would be found to prevent the return of physical checks on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Mrs May has remained in Brussels for the second day of the EU Council summit to discuss steel and other trade issues although she will not be present when her colleagues meet to rubber stamp the transition period and consider approving guidelines for the second phase of negotiations. Mrs May is now returning to the UK having remained briefly in Brussels for the second day of the EU Council summit to discuss urgent trade issues.
She welcomed the temporary US exemption for EU firms from tariffs on steel imports but said what was needed was a permanent exemption, given the "huge importance" of the industry to the British economy. She welcomed the temporary US exemption for EU firms from the 25% tariffs on foreign steel imports coming into effect on Friday.
"I want to ensure that steel workers and their jobs are properly safeguard," she said. But she said what was needed was a permanent exemption, given the "huge importance" of the industry to the British economy. "I want to ensure that steel workers and their jobs are properly safeguard."
The Trump administration has decided to temporarily exclude the EU, as well as a number of other countries, from paying tariffs of 25% on steel imports due to come into effect on Friday.