Friday 16 December 2016

European Commission to head Brexit negotiation with the UK

European Commission as Chief Brexit negotiator

In a bid to stop UK’s negotiator from approaching individual EU countries and create division, the European Commission would be assigned as chief negotiator with Britain with respect to Brexit.

Thus, such a move has signified a major victory for Jean-Claude Juncker’s led Commission, as it will give the Commission control of the Brexit negotiations immediately a directive is granted.


The draft, acquired in full by Sky News, confirms in writing for the first time that the UK will be barred from "discussions of decisions concerning it".

Leaders of the 27 EU countries - minus the UK - discussed their negotiating strategy at a dinner in Brussels on Thursday.

The two-page document details a seven-point plan that outlines the
EU's response to the Prime Minister's expected triggering of Article 50 by March, was also clearly written in a seven-point plan in the two paged document.

At that stage, EU foreign ministers and Europe ministers will deal with the initial trigger at the General Affairs Council before a final mandate - the "negotiating directives" are agreed by the EU 27 heads of state and government.

At that point, expected several weeks after the triggering of Article 50, the Commission team, under Michel Barnier, will be appointed sole negotiator in the key bilateral meetings with the British team.


The Council will be present "in a supporting role", and the European Parliament representatives appear to be being sidelined entirely.

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