- Work on the exit bill, citizens rights and Irish border due to end on December 4
- Both sides aiming for a draft agreement ahead of a summit on December 14/15
- May set to meet Donald Tusk on Friday and Jean-Claude Juncker on December 4
A Brexit divorce deal could be hammered out in just three weeks under a ‘road map’ drawn up by negotiators in Brussels and London.
Talks are aimed at breaking an impasse on Britain’s exit bill, citizens’ rights and the Irish border by December 4 ahead of a major EU summit 10 days later.
Theresa May will meet EU Council President Donald Tusk in Brussels on Friday and is slated to have dinner with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on December 4.
The two sides remain far apart on money and Ireland is holding out on agreement about the border between the Republic and the UK will work.
A Brexit divorce deal could be hammered out in just three weeks under a ‘road map’ drawn up by negotiators in Brussels and London. Theresa May (pictured in Downing Street this week) could present the next offer personally
Mrs May will meet EU Council President Donald Tusk (left) in Brussels on Friday and is slated to have dinner with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (right) on December 4
Further official negotiations are not expected to take place between EU negotiator Michel Barnier and Brexit Secretary David Davis.
But officials are working constantly below the radar and Mrs May could present Britain’s latest offer at the dinner with Mr Juncker, the Financial Times revealed today.
Failure to get a deal would cause further delay that threatens a second postponement of the start of trade talks at the December summit.
Yesterday Mr Davis made clear Britain will not pay the EU a £40billion divorce bill unless there is a trade deal – amid an angry backlash at ministers agreeing to double the offer.
Brexit Secretary David Davis (pictured in Downing Street this morning) made clear Britain will not pay the EU a £40billion divorce bill unless there is a trade deal
The Brexit Secretary insisted that ‘nothing is agreed until everything is agreed’ as he said a financial settlement cannot be reached until future trade terms are clear.
The comments lay bare the heart of the standoff between the UK and Brussels – as the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier has explicitly stated there can be no link between the divorce payment and trade.
Mr Davis was giving a speech in London after Theresa May’s Brexit ‘war cabinet’ agreed to offer billions more in divorce payments to the EU.
Brussels sources had indicated they would not consider opening talks unless the UK hands over about £40billion – double the amount previously suggested by the Prime Minister.
The plan for an increased offer came after ten key ministers met amid tight secrecy in Downing Street, ahead of a crunch summit next month.
But it has already prompted a major Tory revolt.