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 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46216415

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Brexit: Draft agreement a 'decisive' step forward, says Barnier Brexit: EU's Barnier warns of 'long road ahead'
(about 1 hour later)
The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier says "decisive" progress has been made in reaching a final agreement on the UK's departure from the bloc. The EU says much work still needs to be done on Brexit, despite agreeing a draft withdrawal document with the UK.
Mr Barnier said a 585-page draft withdrawal agreement published on Wednesday represented a "crucial step in concluding these negotiations". "We still have a long road ahead of us on both sides," chief negotiator Michel Barnier said.
His comments came after UK Prime Minister Theresa May said her cabinet had backed the draft agreement. The EU has set out a series of meetings leading to one on 25 November where it plans to approve the Brexit agreement.
Mr Barnier will met EU Council head Donald Tusk on Friday morning. UK Prime Minister Theresa May has won the backing of her cabinet but faces a tough task getting the agreement approved by Parliament.
He will formally tell him a landmark in the negotiations has been passed, meaning a summit can now be held leading to the signing of the Brexit withdrawal agreement. What has the EU said and what happens next?
Mr Barnier will then head to Strasbourg to brief the European Parliament whose approval of the agreement will ultimately be needed before the UK leaves the EU next March. Mr Barnier was speaking on Thursday morning alongside EU Council head Donald Tusk as the chief negotiator formally handed over the 585-page draft withdrawal agreement.
The leaders of the other 27 EU nations will also need to approve the deal. Mr Barnier said the agreement was fair and balanced, provided for an orderly withdrawal, took into account the UK's needs and laid the ground for an "ambitious new partnership".
Meanwhile, Mrs May faces a battle to get the completed deal through the UK Parliament. Mr Tusk praised Mr Barnier's work and said the agreement had "secured the interests of the 27 member states and EU as a whole".
He laid out the timetable for the days ahead.
Addressing the UK, Mr Tusk added: "As much as I am sad to see you leave, I will do everything to make this farewell the least painful possible, for you and for us."
If the agreement is approved by both sides, a 21-month transition period will kick in, during which a trade deal and the thorny issue of how to ensure there is no physical border between Northern Ireland - part of the UK - and the Republic of Ireland will need to be worked out.If the agreement is approved by both sides, a 21-month transition period will kick in, during which a trade deal and the thorny issue of how to ensure there is no physical border between Northern Ireland - part of the UK - and the Republic of Ireland will need to be worked out.
A smooth border-free exchange underpins the peace deal that ended the Northern Ireland conflict.A smooth border-free exchange underpins the peace deal that ended the Northern Ireland conflict.
What did Barnier say was in the document? What is in the document?
The draft withdrawal agreement covers so-called "divorce" issues as the UK prepares to leave the EU. It includes a "financial settlement" from the UK, thought to be about £39bn (€45bn; $50bn).The draft withdrawal agreement covers so-called "divorce" issues as the UK prepares to leave the EU. It includes a "financial settlement" from the UK, thought to be about £39bn (€45bn; $50bn).
Speaking at a press briefing in Brussels, Mr Barnier addressed one of the major concerns of the divorce, the Irish "hard border" issue. Speaking at a press briefing in Brussels on Wednesday, Mr Barnier addressed one of the major concerns of the divorce, the Irish "hard border" issue.
He said that to avoid the need for physical checks on goods or infrastructure at the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the EU would work with the UK to agree a trade deal. However if talks fail, the so-called "backstop" measure would be used.He said that to avoid the need for physical checks on goods or infrastructure at the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the EU would work with the UK to agree a trade deal. However if talks fail, the so-called "backstop" measure would be used.
Both sides have resolved to ensure the backstop is not necessary by coming up with alternative arrangements.Both sides have resolved to ensure the backstop is not necessary by coming up with alternative arrangements.
"If we are not ready by 2020, we can extend the provision so we have more time, and if we are still not there with the future agreement after this, the backstop agreement would kick in," he said."If we are not ready by 2020, we can extend the provision so we have more time, and if we are still not there with the future agreement after this, the backstop agreement would kick in," he said.
"There will be a UK-wide single customs territory which Northern Ireland will remain in, and Northern Ireland will remain aligned to the rules of a single market essential for avoiding a border including on agriculture policy.""There will be a UK-wide single customs territory which Northern Ireland will remain in, and Northern Ireland will remain aligned to the rules of a single market essential for avoiding a border including on agriculture policy."
The draft withdrawal agreement states that the transition period may be extended by mutual consent.The draft withdrawal agreement states that the transition period may be extended by mutual consent.
Mr Barnier said that any extension would by a one-off, "by a limited period and by joint agreement".Mr Barnier said that any extension would by a one-off, "by a limited period and by joint agreement".
During the transition, the UK will be out of the EU. It will have no voting rights but will continue to abide by the majority of its rules.During the transition, the UK will be out of the EU. It will have no voting rights but will continue to abide by the majority of its rules.
There are also special protocols in place for Gibraltar and Cyprus to enable people there "to continue to live as they do today", he added.There are also special protocols in place for Gibraltar and Cyprus to enable people there "to continue to live as they do today", he added.
Spain has longstanding claims to the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar and the deal sets out bilateral co-operation on customs, policing, trade, taxation and citizens' rights.Spain has longstanding claims to the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar and the deal sets out bilateral co-operation on customs, policing, trade, taxation and citizens' rights.
The UK has sovereign military bases in Cyprus. EU law will continue to apply at the bases, with the deal securing the rights of the 11,000 Cypriot civilians working there.The UK has sovereign military bases in Cyprus. EU law will continue to apply at the bases, with the deal securing the rights of the 11,000 Cypriot civilians working there.
How have other European leaders reacted?How have other European leaders reacted?
The European Parliament's Brexit chief Guy Verhofstadt welcomed the news, saying that the agreement would provide "protection of citizens rights and the avoidance of a hard Irish border".The European Parliament's Brexit chief Guy Verhofstadt welcomed the news, saying that the agreement would provide "protection of citizens rights and the avoidance of a hard Irish border".
"While I hope one day the UK will return, in the meantime this agreement will make Brexit possible, while maintaining a close relationship," Mr Verhofstadt said in a statement."While I hope one day the UK will return, in the meantime this agreement will make Brexit possible, while maintaining a close relationship," Mr Verhofstadt said in a statement.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker tweeted to say he had recommended a summit take place with the EU and the UK following Mrs May's announcement that her cabinet had backed the deal.European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker tweeted to say he had recommended a summit take place with the EU and the UK following Mrs May's announcement that her cabinet had backed the deal.
Finland's Prime Minister Juha Sipila tweeted to say that while Wednesday's developments were important, "decisions on both sides are still needed for a final agreement".Finland's Prime Minister Juha Sipila tweeted to say that while Wednesday's developments were important, "decisions on both sides are still needed for a final agreement".
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said he was "very pleased", adding: "The result is a good one."Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said he was "very pleased", adding: "The result is a good one."