The UK’s chief Brexit negotiator, David Davis, took the opposing stance to that of Europe on Monday.
He is framing the agreement as to the “cost” of his country’s departure from the EU as an agreement around “the new partnership” between London and Brussels.
Mr Davies indicated upon his arrival in Brussels for a further session of negotiations, “The United Kingdom will honour the financial commitments that we have made during our period of membership of the EU. However we will only reach a conclusion upon this subject in the context of, and in accordance with, the terms of our deep and special partnership with the EU.”
For his part, the EU’s Chief Negotiator for Brexit, Michel Barnier, asserted that the discussions around a transition period, arising from the UK’s departure from the EU, could only begin once agreement had been reached upon the three priority issues of the divorce.
He stated during a joint press conference before meeting the Brexit Minister, David Davis, “As far as I am concerned, discussing a potential transition period can only happen if prior agreement is reached as to the principles of the agreed withdrawal issues.”
