Commenting on the Brexit negotiating
documents published by the European Commission today,
Allie Renison, Head of EU and Trade Policy at the Institute of
Directors, said:
“It is clear that the EU has a fixed idea about the stages the
Brexit negotiations will follow, with reciprocal rights of
citizens and any exit bill needing to be discussed first, before
we can move on to the future trading relationship.
“The European Commission and member states look unified in their
approach to the negotiations, and are being transparent about
their aims. We would urge whoever is Prime Minister after the
election to publish as soon as possible a similar set of detailed
negotiating priorities, beyond what was provided for in the
Government's White Paper. Businesses know neither side can show
their whole hand during the talks, but the more information that
politicians can provide on their objectives, the more companies
will be reassured that a good deal can be signed at the end of
it.
“Today’s negotiating directives contain some welcome details for
business on the EU’s intention to clarify what will happen to
goods put on the market before the UK’s departure, and we’re
pleased to see that their negotiators want to find ‘flexible and
imaginative solutions’ to prevent the return of a hard border
with Ireland. This will mean talking about any transitional
bridging arrangements on customs and trade sooner rather than
later. We don’t want a situation where changes are only discussed
at the last minute. There are many of these kinks that will need
to be ironed out over the next two years, so we will need plenty
of flexibility from both sides.”
