UK Brexit minister starts tour to lay ground for 'constructive' EU talks
Reuters
Published Nov 21, 2016 01:34PM ET
UK Brexit minister starts tour to lay ground for 'constructive' EU talks
LONDON (Reuters) - British Brexit minister David Davis met the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier on Monday, the first meeting of several that Britain hopes will "lay the ground for a constructive dialogue".
His ministry, the Department for Exiting the European Union, said he would hold meetings in Brussels and Strasbourg this week with leading figures not to "seek to open negotiations" but to prepare the way for a "smooth and orderly exit" from the bloc.
"I want to begin the work of ensuring we have positive, strong, and productive relationship with our closest neighbors," Davis is expected to tell officials, his department said in a statement.
"I am confident that by working together we will be able to secure a deal that works in the mutual interests of the UK and the rest of the European Union."
Barnier, a French conservative former minister and EU commissioner, said on Twitter: "This morning courtesy visit from @daviddavismp at his request. No negotiation without notification. My work is now focused on EU27."
British Prime Minister Theresa May has said she will trigger Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty to start the formal divorce talks by the end of March, and EU officials have said there can be no pre-negotiations on their future ties before then.
May and her government are hoping to negotiate a "bespoke" deal with the EU - one that will allow Britain to control immigration from the bloc but also protect trade.
But EU officials have ruled out allowing Britain to "cherry pick" the elements of the union that it wants with none of the responsibilities, such as honoring freedom of movement.
Get The News You Want
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.