EU chief Donald Tusk snubs Theresa May’s call for hammering out early trade deal – but rules out move towards hard border in Ireland
DONALD Tusk has snubbed Theresa May's call to start "parallel talks" on our future relationship with the EU - but admitted that the bloc is prepared to begin talking about a future trade deal with Britain BEFORE finalising a divorce deal.
The EU Council President said that "sufficient progress" will need to be made on our departure before opening the door for trade talks - but that the bloc would not pursue a "punitive approach".
The announcement comes after numerous European leaders including France's Francois Hollande and Germany's Angela Merkel rejected Mrs May's timetable to hold talks about our exit and future relationship at the same time.
Following the triggering of Article 50 on Wednesday in a historic letter to Mr Tusk, the Prime Minister said she wants us to be able to discuss both alongside each other.
In a joint conference this morning with Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Mr Tusk said: "Parallel talks as suggested by some in the UK will not happen."
But after some progress has been made on our divorce settlement - which is likely to include agreement on EU payments and migrant rights - then we can begin discussing a trade deal.
The two leaders were keen to stress that it would not be a "punitive" arrangement - but added in a snarky comment that it was because "Brexit in itself is already punitive enough".
Mr Tusk also stressed the "crucial importance" of protecting the peace agreement in Northern Ireland.
He said: "We will seek flexible and creative solutions aiming at avoiding a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland."
And Mr Muscat later said there was no need to have a final "bill" sorted out before trade talks can begin.
He said: "It's not about having a number. It's about what goes into a calculation"
He added: "It will be a tough negotiation, but it will not be a war".
A Government spokesperson said this morning: "These are draft guidelines and we look forward to beginning negotiations once they have been formally agreed by the 27 member states.
"It it clear both sides wish to approach these talks constructively, and as the Prime Minister said this week, wish to ensure a deep and special partnership between the UK and the European Union.";
Mr Tusk insisted this morning that Britain's exit bill would take into account the UK's share of EU assets, but it was "only fair" for Britain to honour its "current spending commitments".
The idea that the UK would use security cooperation as a bargaining chip appears to have resonated with EU leaders. Mr Tusk insisted that it was a "misunderstanding" and that he was sure Mrs May would want to work closely together in the future.
And the EU Council President said that he will visit the PM before the next European Council meeting.
Mr Tusk said:
- Talks would be "difficult, complex and confrontational"
- The EU would seek to avoid a hard border with Northern Ireland
- A transition period is "necessary" for businesses
- Britain should ONLY negotiate with the 27 EU countries as a bloc - not individually
- There will be "no such thing as a Brexit bill or punishment for leaving" but the EU will ensure we honour spending commitments
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said after the press conference that discussions were "moving forward".
It also says:
- The EU's no 1 priority is to "preserve its interests"
- Our exit from the bloc will create "significant uncertainties" for the bloc
- Leaders are prepared to accept a "phased approach" to Brexit - to ensure stability for businesses
- The EU is preparing for no deal to be reached - but will "strive to find agreement"
- Securing the rights of UK citizens in the EU, and of EU citizens in Britian will be "a matter of priority" for talks
- The EU wants us to be a "close partner" after we quit
- No Brexit deal will apply to Gibraltar without agreement from both Spain and the UK
The European Union "will work hard to achieve" a deal "but it will prepare itself to be able to handle the situation also if the negotiations were to fail," the guidelines said.
The EU's draft negotiating position
"On 29 March 2017, the European Council has received the notification by the United Kingdom of its intention to withdraw from the European Union and Euratom. This allows for the opening of negotiations as foreseen by the Treaty.
"European integration has brought peace and prosperity to Europe and allowed for an unprecedented level and scope of cooperation on matters of common interest in a rapidly changing world.
"Therefore, the Union's overall objective in these negotiations will be to preserve its interests, those of its Member States, its citizens and its businesses.
"The United Kingdom's decision to leave the Union creates significant uncertainties that have the potential to cause disruption, in particular in the UK but also in other Member States.
"Citizens who have built their lives on the basis of rights flowing from the British membership of the EU face the prospect of losing those rights. Businesses and other stakeholders will lose the predictability and certainty that come with EU law.
"With this in mind, we must proceed according to a phased approach giving priority to an orderly withdrawal. In these negotiations the Union will act as one. It will be constructive throughout and will strive to find an agreement.
"This is in the best interest of both sides.
"The Union will work hard to achieve that outcome, but it will prepare itself to be able to handle the situation also if the negotiations were to fail.
"These guidelines define the framework for negotiations under Article 50 TEU and set out the overall positions and principles that the Union will pursue throughout the negotiation.
"The European Council will remain permanently seized of the matter, and will update these guidelines in the course of the negotiations as necessary."