EU Brexit negotiator says talks will be less than 2 years

[snoop1130]

EU Brexit negotiator says talks will be less than 2 years 

PAN PYLAS, Associated Press

 

BRUSSELS (AP) — Michel Barnier, who will be the European Union's chief negotiator with Britain over the country's exit from the bloc, says that talks may only last 18 months, not 24.

British Prime Minister Theresa May intends to trigger Article 50 by the end of March. That formally starts a two-year process over Britain's exit from the EU.

But given formal procedures linked to the process, like parliamentary approvals, Barnier says the effective negotiating time will be less. He says an agreement may have to be secured by October 2018.

In his first public comments since taking up the role, Barnier said Tuesday that Britain can't "cherry-pick" what it likes about the EU. He says that the single market and its four freedoms, such as the freedom of movement, are "indivisible."

 

-- © Associated Press 2016-12-06

[daveAustin]

Yeah yeah, that's exactly what they will do, cherry-pick, lest there be two fingers to the single market which would be as bad for the EU as for the UK. Can't these idiots see that it is these so called 'freedoms' that is winding people up and screwing the entire continent! Completely out of touch.

[the guest]

Assuming that there will be an EU left at the time of the negotiations.

[ubonjoe]

Several off topic posts meant to derail the topic have been removed along wiht some personal attacks.

[dunroaming]

It's not rocket science.  The EU want a quick resolve to brexit and they will do as much as they can to avoid giving the UK any concessions. To do so would encourage other member countries to opt out. It's logical to take that approach.  The UK will try to get the best deal without suffering too much economic trauma. 

 

May has agreed to outline  a broad brush of the targets she will try to achieve before triggering article 51 after pressure to do so.  I think this is important because we need to know just how much compromise the government are prepared to negotiate on our behalf.  Too much compromise and the whole exercise will have been a failure and too little may mean we will be economically badly damaged.  So far we are getting mixed messages about movement of people and financial contributions and this needs clarification.

[7by7]

Every other non EU member European country which has negotiated a free trade deal with the EU, the EFTA states plus Switzerland, have had to, as part of the deal, agree to all of the four freedoms; that is the freedom of movement of goods, people, services and capital.

 

Why should UK the expect to be treated any differently?

[Retiredandhappyhere]

7by7 said:

 

"Every other non EU member European country which has negotiated a free trade deal with the EU, the EFTA states plus Switzerland, have had to, as part of the deal, agree to all of the four freedoms; that is the freedom of movement of goods, people, services and capital.      Why should the UK be treated any differently"

 

No problem then because if we are told we are obliged to accept the "four freedoms" (which are anything but freedoms), it will have to be the two finger salute from the UK to the EU and both parties will have to accept the consquences.  As an earlier poster correctly pointed out, the assumption that the UK will be the only loser is a myth as all the remainders (27 as of today but possibly diminishing as time goes on) and Germany in particular with all its current problems, will be losers as well.

 

In the end, as is usual in all negotiations, compromises will be reached in the interest of all parties  but in any event,  "hard Brexit" or not, certain other countries will be joining the exit queue before long.  It just requires that the electors are given the chance to choose, as the Brits were.  Recent events with Brexit, and in the USA, Italy, France and to a lesser extent in Austria, illustrate how volatile the electors can be, given the chance. The move for change is growing, despite all the rhetoric spouted by the various countries' leaders.  

[7by7]

17 hours ago, Retiredandhappyhere said:

No problem then because if we are told we are obliged to accept the "four freedoms" (which are anything but freedoms), it will have to be the two finger salute from the UK to the EU and both parties will have to accept the consequences.  

 

So are you saying you believe that the UK government will reject any deal which includes the UK accepting these four freedoms?

 

BTW, I'm puzzled; why do you think these freedoms are 'anything but freedoms?'

 

For example, there are tens of thousands of British pensioners retired and happy in other EU countries who do not have to go through the regular visa regime that you do in Thailand; who have access to their host country's health and welfare system, which you do not have in Thailand; who after living there for 5 years can obtain permanent residence if they wish, which is very difficult for you to do in Thailand.

 

Of course, if the UK government reject the four freedoms that may change for those already there and will certainly change for those wishing to retire there in the future.