BELGIUM (Reuters) – The United Kingdom and the European Union have taken the first step towards starting the formal negotiations over the UK’s breakaway from the EU, chief negotiators from both sides announced on Monday.
The announcement was made at a press conference following the first meeting between the two lead negotiators – Michel Barnier on behalf of the EU and David Davis on behalf of the UK, at the EU headquarters in Brussels on Monday.
“This first session was useful indeed to start off on the right foot as the clock is ticking. Today, we agreed on dates, we agreed on organization, and we agreed on priorities for the negotiation. In the first step, we will deal with the most pressing issues, we must leave the uncertainty caused by Brexit, we want to make sure that the withdrawal of the UK happens in an orderly manner,” said Barnier at the press conference.
Davis said that although it will be a lengthy period of negotiations packed with uncertainties, he still hopes that the two sides can maintain a good relationship.
“Today marks the start of a journey in the United Kingdom and for the European Union. There is a long way to go, but we are off to a promising start. We have taken the first critical steps together. Now we have a shared responsibility to deliver quick and substantive progress. It was clear from the opening, that both of us want to achieve the best possible outcome and the strongest possible partnership, one that works for the UK and for the EU,” said Davis.
British Prime Minister Theresa May will also meet with the bloc’s leaders and heads of member states on Brexit matters later this week.
