UK pushes for "flexible" approach to Brexit talks

Sunday, 27 August 2017 00:01

British negotiators will push for the European Commission to be more flexible in its approach to Brexit discussions this week. Brexit Secretary David Davis will meet the Commission's chief negotiator Michel Barnier to formally open discussions on Monday. Talks are likely to be technical in nature, laying the groundwork for more substantive discussions in September. Mr Davis will build on work done over the last two weeks to outline the UK's strategy by calling for ‘imagination’...Request free trial

British negotiators will push for the European Commission to be more flexible in its approach to Brexit discussions this week.

Brexit Secretary David Davis will meet the Commission's chief negotiator Michel Barnier to formally open discussions on Monday.

Talks are likely to be technical in nature, laying the groundwork for more substantive discussions in September.

Mr Davis will build on work done over the last two weeks to outline the UK's strategy by calling for ‘imagination’ on both sides to drive talks forward.

The three position and four future partnership papers published over the last fortnight set out the guiding principles for the UK’s approach to negotiations – including providing certainty to businesses and citizens across Europe.

The papers demonstrate the UK's pragmatic approach to negotiations, and highlight how conversations about our exit and the future deep and special partnership we want with the EU are inextricably linked.

By setting out the UK's view on the future partnership — for example by proposing solutions to help ensure there is no return to borders of the past in Northern Ireland, or by demonstrating that close civil judicial cooperation is in the interests of both sides — the papers should help to drive progress on the current topics being discussed.

A UK Government source said:

“This round of negotiations will focus on thrashing out the technical detail on important matters related to us leaving the EU, and will act as a stepping stone to more substantial talks in September.

“The UK has been working diligently to inform the negotiations in the past weeks, and has published papers making clear our position on a wide range of issues from how we protect the safe flow of personal data, to the circumstances around Ireland and Northern Ireland.

“Now, both sides must be flexible and willing to compromise when it comes to solving areas where we disagree.

“As the EU itself has said, the clock is ticking so neither side should drag its feet."

On Monday, Mr Davis and Mr Barnier will meet for the opening plenary session, formally starting the negotiations.

Officials from the UK and EU will then meet in working groups to discuss the technical detail behind each side's proposals, before the round is closed by Mr Davis and Mr Barnier on Thursday.