The European Union reportedly has agreed to move Brexit talks with the UK onto second phase focused on trade and transition pact but called for further clarity from the UK about the future relationship it wants.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May hailed an important step on the road but Germany’s Angela Merkel reportedly said it would get even tougher. President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, broke the news that the 27 EU leaders were happy to move on to phase two after they met in Brussels.
According to media news report, EU has published its guidelines for phase two of the negotiations, with discussions on future economic co-operation not likely to begin until March.The three-page document reportedly says the UK will remain under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and be required to permit freedom of movement during any transition period.
Reportedly agreements on the Irish border, the so-called divorce bill and the the rights of EU and UK citizens, reportedly agreed by Mrs May last Friday, must be respected in full and translated faithfully into legal terms as quickly as possible, media reports said.
-AENNS 16/12/2017
