European Union sets a date for Brexit, says transition has to be over by December 31, 2020
The United Kingdom would retain the benefits and obligations of being in the union during the transition period, EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier said.
The European Union on Wednesday said that Britain has to exit the bloc by December 31, 2020.
The bloc’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, who said that the United Kingdom would retain the benefits and obligations of being in the union during the transition period, made the announcement at a press conference held at the European Union’s headquarters in Brussels.
The European Union says Brexit transition should end no later than 31 December 2020
— Sky News Newsdesk (@SkyNewsBreak) December 20, 2017
However, by March 30, 2019, Britain will be designated as a “third country” and will no longer be represented in union institutions, agencies, bodies and offices, the EU said in a statement.
We have sent a Recommendation to the Council (#Article50) to begin discussions on the next phase of the orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: https://t.co/b3D8kQ0Tqd #Brexit pic.twitter.com/owxEU8ll2l
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) December 20, 2017
The bloc’s free trade agreements will not be applicable to the United Kingdom after the transition period and advised the country to initiate “exploratory talks” with others about trade deals and replicate the 750 odd pacts it will be exiting, Barnier said.
.@MichelBarnier on our recommendation to begin discussions on the next phase of #Brexit negotiations with the United Kingdomhttps://t.co/jemejvYbfL
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) December 20, 2017
