Michel Barnier gave his first press conference (HERE) in which he said a deal needs to be reached by October 2018 in order to give time for ratification by EU member states and the parliament.
However, I think there was also an interesting point he made in answer to a French journalist's question about withdrawal and trade negotiations and whether they would be simultaneous or sequential. I think he said that the trade deal would begin when we are a third country which I took to mean we won't be able to discuss the trade deal until after we have left.
Oddly, very few journalists picked this up. The only story I can see is by James Forsyth in a Spectator blog (HERE) who says:
"But Barnier’s position is that only once this deal has been agreed, can talks move on to what the future relationship between the UK and the EU will be. In other words, no talks on trade until the exit process has been agreed".
Oddly, very few journalists picked this up. The only story I can see is by James Forsyth in a Spectator blog (HERE) who says:
"But Barnier’s position is that only once this deal has been agreed, can talks move on to what the future relationship between the UK and the EU will be. In other words, no talks on trade until the exit process has been agreed".
This is all going to drag on for years and years.
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