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EU says no free trade deal with UK until it makes 'sufficient progress' on Brexit

Published: 05:30 31 Mar 2017 EDT

Tusk

European Council President Donald Tusk has today laid out the draft negotiating guidelines for the upcoming Brexit talks after Prime Minister Theresa May triggered Article 50.

Speaking in Malta, Tusk said the aim of negotiations will be to “minimise the uncertainty and disruption” caused to European businesses and citizens as a result of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union (EU).  

He assured the EU would not set out to punish the UK in the initial stage of the talks. "We will not be punitive. Brexit itself is punitive enough," he said.

However, he made clear that Britain must settle the terms of its exit from the EU before talks on future trade deals can begin. 

"Once and only we have achieved sufficient progress on the withdrawal can we discuss the framework for our future relationship,” Tusk said.

"Starting parallel talks on all issues at the same time, as suggested by some in the UK, will not happen."

The draft guidelines were sent to the remaining 27 EU member states on Friday for approval and will set the tone for two years of negotiations.

The guidelines will be subject to revision over the coming month before being endorsed by member state leaders at a summit on 29 April, allowing for Brexit negotiations to begin in May.

Rights of EU citizens in the UK…

Tusk also called for the rights of EU citizens, who currently work and study in the UK, to be protected following Brexit.

May, who officially kicked off Brexit by sending the Article 50 letter to Tusk on Wednesday, has said she wants a deal that ensures European citizens in the UK and British citizens living in the EU would be able to stay put.

However, what the Prime Ministers means by the proposal remains vague and she has indicated she would be taking a hard line on immigration, accepting only the best and brightest international talent.

In Tusk’s speech, he urged: “We need to think of people first. Citizens from all over the EU live, work and study in the UK. And as long as the UK remains a member, their rights are fully protected. But we need to settle their status and situations after the withdrawal with reciprocal, enforceable and non-discriminatory guarantees.”

Scottish independence…

Scotland’s first minister has signed a letter formally asking for permission to hold another referendum for independence from the UK.

Nicola Sturgeon has argued Scotland should have a second referendum as a majority of residents had voted to remain in the EU last June.  

The Scottish Parliament voted by 69 to 59 on Tuesday in favour of asking for powers to hold another referendum.

Surgeon is seeking a referendum between the autumn next year and spring 2019.

However, the Prime Minister has stressed “now is not the time” to be talking about a Scottish referendum as the UK tackles Brexit, indicating that such a move was unlikely until after Britain’s withdrawal from the EU on 29 March 2019.

Scottish government has been warned by senior legal experts that they need to take urgent action to cope with the legislative challenges posed by Brexit.

The experts told The Guardian that delays or mistakes in transferring thousands of EU regulations into Scottish and UK law before Brexit takes place could have serious legal repercussions. It could undermine environmental protection, cross-border policing, trade, consumer rights and university research, they said.

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