13 December 2019

POLITICO: EU ‘ready’ for trade talks after UK election, says Charles Michel

Speaking at an EU leaders' summit in Brussels shortly after an exit poll had suggested a strong majority for Boris Johnson's Conservative party, the former Belgian prime minister stressed the "unity" of the EU27 in the next phase of talks.

“We are ready for the next steps. We will see if it is possible for the British parliament to accept the Withdrawal Agreement, and to take a decision,” Michel told reporters.

“And if it is the case, we are ready for the next steps. We have a way of working in order to guarantee the unity of the European countries, to guarantee the transparency and to try to keep a close cooperation with the United Kingdom.”

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would wait for the official result and then want to hear from the U.K. prime minister “just to be reassured” about the way ahead.

“We are all set for whatever case is happening. We have the structures internally. We are ready to negotiate whatever is necessary,” she said. EU27 leaders will hold a meeting tomorrow at the end of the summit to discuss Brexit.

“It will be important tomorrow to get the mandate for the further steps from the Council so this will be the core of our debate tomorrow,” von der Leyen said. [...]

Full article on POLITICO

Remarks by President Charles Michel after the European Council meetings on 13 December 2019

Related article on EurActiv: Leaders ask the Commission for a mandate to start post-Brexit negotiations with UK

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