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The negotiations on the UK leaving the EU begin in Brussels today in the midst of political turmoil in Westminster and for now anyway, a strong consensus in Brussels.
Just one day of negotiations are scheduled for this week and we can expect that today’s business will be fairly procedural focusing on the the issues outlined by the EU as priorities including Ireland and the border. The EU has had minor first wins by having their agenda adopted and Brussels as the venue which though of course is not of substantive significance but does say who is shaping the discussion.
Language
The outcome of the election has changed the language around Brexit from a UK perspective. Even though official positions of senior government ministers like Brexit Secretary David Davis and Foreign Secretary Borris Johnston hasn’t changed their use of language suggests a more conciliatory tone. While it is unlikely access to the single market will survive, there is a more open mind to remaining in the Customs Union which would be very helpful to the island of Ireland from a movement of goods perspective.
SHARING OPTIONS: