The heads of state of the European Union to 27 have given the green light to phase two of the Brexit negotiations which will focus on future relations and the transitional period. "Unanimously" adopted the new EU guidelines, contained in an official document, on the exit of Great Britain. This was announced by the President of the European Council Donald Tusk during the Brussels summit.
EU leaders agree to move on to the second phase of #Brexit talks. Congratulations PM @theresa_may
- Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) 15 December 2017
After months of very tough negotiations on the conditions of the divorce, European leaders felt they were done “sufficient progress” during the first phase. “Congratulations to Prime Minister Theresa May,” Tusk added.
At the heart of the second phase will be the definition of a transitional period, which according to London's requests should last two years, and future trade agreements between the EU and the United Kingdom.
The new negotiations on the transition should start in January, while those on thefree trade agreement requested by Theresa May will be postponed to March.
“We have to credit Theresa May for having made every effort to move forward. The protection of citizens, the financial aspect and the question of the border of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland represent a step forward”. This is the comment of the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, speaking in Rome, on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Academic Year of the University of Tor Vergata.
“Now, however, it is a question of being united – he continued – because we must protect our interests, starting with those of the over 3 million European citizens living in the United Kingdom, including 600 Italians.
