Menu
Wed, 4 December 2024

Newsletter sign-up

Subscribe now
The House Live All
Modernising business rates for a changing economy Partner content
By WSP
Economy
Streamlined, smarter, strategic: a planning system fit for the UK’s growth agenda Partner content
By AtkinsRéalis
Economy
Education
A highly skilled workforce that delivers economic growth and regional prosperity demands a local approach Partner content
By Instep UK
Economy
UK Advertising: The Creative Powerhouse Fuelling Global Growth Partner content
Economy
Press releases

Brussels makes May ‘pre-talks’ pledge

1 min read

European Union leaders yesterday softened their position on Brexit talks following meetings with Theresa May in Brussels.


Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, said she was in “absolutely no doubt” the EU and the UK could conclude successful negotiations, and invited Britain to bring forward “ideas” for preliminary trade talks.

European Council President Donald Tusk said that while progress was "not sufficient" to begin trade talks with the UK now, that "doesn't mean there is no progress at all”.

Ms May said the meetings had been “an important moment” but added: “I know we still have some way to go”.

Formal trade talks will not begin until there is agreement on how much Britain will pay to settle its EU commitments. 

In her speech in Florence last month, Ms May indicated the UK was willing to pay £18bn. EU leaders are thought to be asking for at least twice that amount. 

“The financial settlement will not be easy for me,” Ms May told leaders at a Thursday night dinner, according to diplomatic sources. “But Florence was not my last word.”

The European Commission has offered three new rounds of Brexit talks before December.

 

PoliticsHome Newsletters

PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe

Read the most recent article written by Richard Welbirg - Theresa May acquires Article 50 portrait

Categories

Brexit Economy