EU offers Brexit transition but UK must 'accept rules'
Michel Barnier
Ministers from the 27 other states took just two minutes in Brussels to endorse new instructions to their negotiator Michel Barnier  who will launch talks soon with the aim of sealing a transition package within a couple of months.
Pressed on how that might work   Barnier  said the offer was principally in Britainâs interests and not open to significant negotiation:
âThe United Kingdom must acknowledge these rules of the game and accept them from the outset â  he  told reporters.
European Union's chief Brexit negotiator  Michel Barnier  attends a meeting of European Union Home/European affairs ministers in Brussels  Belgium January 29  2018. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
 Barnier  said this timetable was still subject to May and  her  ministers agreeing a plan among themselves and presenting it to Brussels -- and also depends on finalizing many issues on the divorce treaty.
 Barnier  said: âI want to remind you  without agreement on all the withdrawal issues  there is no transition.â
 He  also made clear that talks on the future relationship might start after an EU summit in late March -- but only if May spells out what she wants in time for Brussels to put together its own responses. An outline trade package could then be agreed by the time the divorce and transition deal is ready in October.
Showing some willingness to be flexible  the EU ministers are open to extending the transition period if need be to reach a trade pact -- though  Barnier  warned it could not be very long -- and also voiced a will to endorse Britain concluding trade agreements with other countries before the transition ends.
Ministers from the 27 other states took just two minutes in Brussels to endorse new instructions to their negotiator  [TGT]   who will launch talks soon with the aim of sealing a transition package within a couple of months.
Pressed on how that might work   Barnier  said the offer was principally in Britainâs interests and not open to significant negotiation:
âThe United Kingdom must acknowledge these rules of the game and accept them from the outset â  he  told reporters.
European Union's chief Brexit negotiator   [TGT]   attends a meeting of European Union Home/European affairs ministers in Brussels  Belgium January 29  2018. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
 Barnier  said this timetable was still subject to May and  her  ministers agreeing a plan among themselves and presenting it to Brussels -- and also depends on finalizing many issues on the divorce treaty.
 Barnier  said: âI want to remind you  without agreement on all the withdrawal issues  there is no transition.â
 He  also made clear that talks on the future relationship might start after an EU summit in late March -- but only if May spells out what she wants in time for Brussels to put together its own responses. An outline trade package could then be agreed by the time the divorce and transition deal is ready in October.
Showing some willingness to be flexible  the EU ministers are open to extending the transition period if need be to reach a trade pact -- though  Barnier  warned it could not be very long -- and also voiced a will to endorse Britain concluding trade agreements with other countries before the transition ends.