Barnier to update EU ministers on Brexit progress

Brussels’ chief Brexit negotiator will brief ministers from European Union governments on the state of talks with the UK ahead of a major summit this week.

Michel Barnier will update representatives of the EU27 on the remaining issues that need to be resolved in the divorce talks – including how to resolve the Irish border question – and the framework for the UK’s future relationship with the EU.

The ministerial-level meeting in Brussels comes ahead of a gathering of the EU’s leaders in Salzburg on Wednesday where Theresa May will urge her counterparts to get behind the Chequers plan for a Brexit deal.

Theresa May discussed the Chequers plan with Maltese counterpart Joseph Muscat (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
Theresa May discussed the Chequers plan with Maltese counterpart Joseph Muscat (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Ahead of that summit the Prime Minister hosted her Maltese counterpart Joseph Muscat for talks which included her plan for a Brexit deal.

Downing Street said the two prime ministers “discussed the Chequers proposal and the importance of achieving a mutually beneficial economic and security partnership”.

PM Theresa May explains the Chequers agreement

A lot has been said about the Chequers agreement, the White Paper and what it actually means for Brexit. PM Theresa May explains what the government has agreed, and what this means for us leaving the EU.

Posted by Road to Brexit on Monday, September 17, 2018

Mr Barnier has also been meeting European leaders in the run-up to the Salzburg summit.

In Madrid for talks with prime minister Pedro Sanchez he offered “full support” for Spain’s position on negotiations relating to Gibraltar “which need to conclude ASAP”.

Ahead of the latest round of EU meetings, The Times reported that Mr Barnier was preparing to insist that any political declaration agreed with Mrs May on the future relationship cannot easily be unpicked by her successor.

In Madrid today, cordial meeting with @sanchezcastejon to prepare for #Brexit#Salzburgsummit18. A deal with #UK is possible if integrity of Single Market is preserved. Full support for Spain in its negotiations w/ UK on #Gibraltar, which need to conclude asap. pic.twitter.com/lEhR65DSdK

— Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) September 17, 2018

Environment Secretary Michael Gove has described the PM’s divisive Chequers plan as the “right one for now” and suggested it could be altered by a future leader.

But The Times reported that Mr Barnier’s deputy Sabine Weyand told ambassadors from EU states last week that Brussels needed “credible political promises” from the UK, according to a diplomatic note of the meeting.

Meanwhile there was a further indication of the pressure on Jeremy Corbyn to commit Labour to backing the People’s Vote campaign for a fresh referendum on the outcome of the Brexit talks.

Labour MP David Lammy, MEP Clare Moody and GMB union general secretary Tim Roache will join party members, campaigners and activists in a march and rally as Labour’s conference begins in Liverpool on Sunday.

Jeremy Corbyn
Jeremy Corbyn

The party’s stance on Brexit is expected to be debated at the gathering and Mr Lammy said: “A People’s Vote is not only the right thing to do for jobs, public services and the future of our young people – it’s the best way to get a radical Labour government.

“If we secure a People’s Vote on the Government’s final deal, Theresa May would be forced to resign.

“A pro-EU Labour government could then rebuild this country using the revitalised economy to introduce high investment, and restore our public services including schools and the NHS.

“Over a hundred local Labour groups have submitted motions to Labour’s conference to change Labour’s policy so that they can back a People’s Vote on Brexit.”

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