BRUSSELS: Negotiators from the European Union and Britain on Monday began their fourth round of talks over Britain’s exit from the bloc, as the EU looked to British officials to translate proposals by British Prime Minister Theresa May into action.
Just days before the talks, May held a much-anticipated talk in Florence aiming to re-energize talks. She called for a transition period of two years, during which Britain would continue to meet its financial commitments to the EU.
Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, said he wanted to see his British counterparts translating May’s proposals into negotiating positions, stressing, however, that the two sides would still need to reach an agreement on the key issues before talks of a transitional period can begin.
“The way I see this: Discussing a transitional period can only begin if we have reached an agreement in principle on an orderly withdrawal; that’s the mandate I have at the moment,” Barnier said.
He added that discussing the possibility of a transitional period “does not mean that we will no longer need to achieve sufficient progress” on the three main sticking points, which are a financial settlement, citizens’ rights and the question of Ireland. — dpa
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