Brexit talks to continue via videoconferences

David Frost, the UK’s Chief Negotiator, and Michel Barnier, the European Commission’s Chief Negotiator held a constructive meeting today via videoconference.

The two sides took stock of the technical work that has taken place since the first negotiating round on the basis of the legal texts exchanged by both sides.

While this work has been useful to identify all major areas of divergence and convergence, the two sides agreed on the need to organise further negotiating rounds in order to make real, tangible progress in the negotiations by June.

Given the ongoing coronavirus crisis, these negotiating rounds – the structure of which is set out in the Terms of Reference – will take place via videoconference. The following dates have been agreed for negotiating rounds lasting a full week:

• w/c 20 April
• w/c 11 May
• w/c 1 June

Agendas for all rounds will be published online in due course.

The High Level meeting foreseen for June will take stock of the progress made.

Mr. Frost and Mr Barnier also discussed the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement. They welcomed the fact that a first meeting of the Joint Committee had taken place between Michael Gove and MaroÅ¡ Å efÄ