The Brexit Secretary heads into tomorrow’s first
official talks to leave the European Union on a mission to
deliver on the will of the British people.
Despite European leaders’ attempts to leave open the possibility
of the UK remaining in the UK, Mr Davis will make it clear that
he is determined to achieve a Brexit deal that works for the
whole of the UK.
Mr Davis will lead a team of experienced negotiators to Brussels
confident that he can get a positive outcome and secure a new
deep and special partnership with the EU.
He will also set out a bold vision for the UK’s future after it
leaves the EU and the exciting opportunities that will arise from
our exit.
After ten months of planning, Mr Davis will meet with the EU’s
Chief Negotiator, to agree the structure
of the negotiations ahead so officials have a framework within
which to discuss substantive issues.
, Secretary of State for Exiting
the European Union said: “As I head to Brussels to open official
talks to leave the EU, there should be no doubt — we are leaving
the European Union, and delivering on that historic referendum
result.
Now, the hard work begins. We must secure a deal that works for
all parts of the United Kingdom, and enables us to become a truly
global Britain.
Leaving gives us the opportunity to forge a bright new future for
the UK — one where we are free to control our borders, pass our
own laws and do what independent sovereign countries do.
We will soon introduce bills for new immigration and customs
arrangements, and the Great Repeal Bill will transpose all EU law
into UK law, providing certainty for businesses.
There has been a huge amount of work across Whitehall to prepare
us for these talks, and make sure we get the best possible deal
with the European Union.
We are not turning our backs on Europe. It’s vital that the deal
we strike allows both the UK and the EU to thrive, as part of the
new deep and special partnership we want with our closest allies
and friends.
These talks will be difficult at points, but we will be
approaching them in a constructive way.
The start of the negotiations comes as work continues across the
UK Government to prepare Britain for life outside of the EU.
This includes preparations for new bills on customs and
immigration. It will also see the Government introduce a Great
Repeal Bill which will convert existing EU law into UK statute
and enable the smoothest possible transition at the point of
leaving.
The Great Repeal Bill is expected to be introduced as part of the
Queen’s Speech next Wednesday.
