Theresa May says Government is 'well on the road' to Brexit, as EU delays trade talks until March
3 min read
Theresa May has insisted the UK is "well on the road" to Brexit, despite the EU delaying talks on the future trading relationship until March of next year.
The Prime Minister was speaking after securing agreement from the European Council to move on to phase two of Brexit negotiations, having secured "sufficient progress" on the initial exit issues of Northern Ireland, citizens' rights and the financial settlement.
But while the Council's president welcomed Mrs May's "constructive effort" in the first stage of negotiations, he warned that it would be "dramatically difficult" to secure a full Brexit agreement by March 2019 - the deadline set when the UK triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty earlier this year.
And the European Council's new guidelines make clear the two sides will have just over a year to negotiate a comprehensive deal.
"The European Council will continue to follow the negotiations closely and will adopt additional guidelines in March 2018, in particular as regards the framework for the future relationship," the document states.
Talks are expected to begin in January on a two-year transitional period during which the UK will continue to abide by EU rules despite not being given a say on their drafting.
A three-page European Council document published by this morning made clear that in return for continued access to the single market and customs union, Britain must follow the EU's "four freedoms", including freedom of movement.
Speaking to reporters this afternoon Mrs May said: "This is an important step on the road to delivering the smooth and orderly Brexit that people voted for in June of last year and the UK and the EU have shown what can be achieved by commitment and perseverance on both sides.
"I’m pleased that it’s been agreed we should make rapid progress on an implementation period that will give certainty to businesses to individuals. There’s still more to do but we’re well on the road to delivering the Brexit that will make Britain prosperous, strong and secure."
She denied she was concerned about delaying trade talks for another three months, saying:
"No, we will be beginning the talks about our future relationship, we will be beginning those straight away and also talking about the implementation period that will give certainty to businesses and individuals.
"We’re leaving the EU on 29 March 2019, we will set up and negotiate a new trade deal with the EU but also we’ll be negotiating trade deals with other countries around the world. This is about building a Britain that is fit for the future."
'MORE CLARITY'
However Mr Tusk suggested the UK side needed to do more to set out its demand for the future trading relationship.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, he said:
"Opening the second phase of our negotiations wouldn’t be possible without the unity of the EU27, the hard work of Michel Barnier and the constructive efforts of Prime Minister May. As for the framework for future relationships it is now time for internal EU27 preparations and exploratory contact with the UK to get more clarity on their vision."
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