First round of EU-Britain talks has begun

The European Union and Britain have begun the first round of negotiations on their division. Both sides say the time has come to move quickly in this direction.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier welcomed his British counterpart, David Davis, at the European Commission's headquarters in Berlaymont, to start a four-day division procedure session.

For us it is extremely important to make progress by negotiating and identifying our differences, so that we can find solutions based on the similarities we have. Now is the time to get back to work and successfully draw these negotiations”, British negotiator David Davis said.

This week's negotiations are expected to focus on the rights citizens of both sides will have after division, on bills that Britain will have to pay to meet current commitments, on the border issue in Ireland, and on maintaining the power of the Court of the European Union decisions.

The EU negotiator promised to inform the media at the end of the round of talks Thursday.