EU seeks quick negotiations with London after Brex

European Union leaders seek to resume discussions as soon as possible on a new trade relationship with Great Britain, after Brex, scheduled for January 31st.

In their draft of the upcoming European summit, which will take place on 12 December and 13 December in Brussels, the presidents and prime ministers of the European Union invite the European Commission to present a global draft mandate for a future relationship with Great Britain shortly after its withdrawal.

This mandate is expected to be approved as soon as possible by member states.

The “Negotiations will need to be organised in order to make the best use of that little time available for negotiations and ratification”, according to the draft.

The British will enter, after their departure from the EU, in a transition period until 31 December 2020, during which they will continue to apply European rules and benefit from them.

This transition calls for avoiding a brutal break and giving more time to negotiate the future relationship. It can only be extended once by the end of 2022.

But, the current prime minister, Boris Johnson, ruled out any extent if he wins the 12 December elections. / A T S/