EU accepts inevitable informal negotiations before Article 50

[GB9]

From the mouth of the left wing horse itself

If true, and it is from the BBC, that's another myth shattered.

"Grudgingly, Brussels recognises that Theresa May (who is said always to have come to ministerial meetings here well-briefed) is unlikely to bow to EU pressure to start formal Brexit negotiations before holding extensive consultations.

They will take place at home, in Brussels with Britain's team of hugely experienced civil servants and with European counterparts across the continent - perhaps with a tour of European capitals.

The European Commission is not thrilled with the idea.

Its post-referendum message to the UK had been "No negotiation without notification (of the UK's formal intention to leave the EU)" but it realises it cannot do much to stop informal consultations."

[meridian]

From the mouth of the left wing horse itself

If true, and it is from the BBC, that's another myth shattered.

"Grudgingly, Brussels recognises that Theresa May (who is said always to have come to ministerial meetings here well-briefed) is unlikely to bow to EU pressure to start formal Brexit negotiations before holding extensive consultations.

They will take place at home, in Brussels with Britain's team of hugely experienced civil servants and with European counterparts across the continent - perhaps with a tour of European capitals.

The European Commission is not thrilled with the idea.

Its post-referendum message to the UK had been "No negotiation without notification (of the UK's formal intention to leave the EU)" but it realises it cannot do much to stop informal consultations."

That's great news if it's true.

The more that UK politicians (and the U.K. public) learn about what Brexit actually means in terms of costs, risks, opportunities, etc, before Article 50 is pressed, the better the decision will be if/when the time comes to press it.

[AtW]

Informal talks, big deal - even USA talks to Iran informally.

May got deadline - April 2017, if he fails to invoke Article 50 before that date, then she might never be able to do so.

[jamesbrown]

May got deadline - April 2017, if he fails to invoke Article 50 before that date, then she might never be able to do so.

Again, this is simply not correct. It's a very old conspiracy theory (deployed in various other contexts) and it refers to changes that have been known for years (see here and here for example). In short, it's nonsense, which is why it's getting no coverage in the mainstream media. It's the negotiated terms that are subject to QMV, not the departure itself. As I mentioned before, it's worth reading this research briefing on the Article 50 process (full briefing available for download at the bottom):

Research Briefings - Brexit: how does the Article 50 process work?

Remember that Article 50 is an EU withdrawal procedure to ensure a negotiated settlement. The terms of that settlement are subject to QMV (under Article 16), but not the departure itself. Indeed, there's absolutely nothing, in principle, to prevent a unilateral departure, without settlement, but this is an entirely theoretical point. The EU wants a negotiated settlement, and sooner rather than later.

[AtW]

Published: 11:14, 11 July 2016 | Updated: 16:16, 11 July 2016

Merkel - "Says EU leaders had made it very clear to UK government that negotiations will not begin until Article 50 is triggered"

Angela Merkel warns Britain you can't 'cherry pick' EU laws after Brexit | Daily Mail Online

[VectraMan]

From the mouth of the left wing horse itself

If true, and it is from the BBC, that's another myth shattered.

"Grudgingly, Brussels recognises that Theresa May (who is said always to have come to ministerial meetings here well-briefed) is unlikely to bow to EU pressure to start formal Brexit negotiations before holding extensive consultations.

They will take place at home, in Brussels with Britain's team of hugely experienced civil servants and with European counterparts across the continent - perhaps with a tour of European capitals.

The European Commission is not thrilled with the idea.

Its post-referendum message to the UK had been "No negotiation without notification (of the UK's formal intention to leave the EU)" but it realises it cannot do much to stop informal consultations."

Nothing has been shattered; this is not news in any way. The Commission can be as "not thrilled" as much as it likes but as the ultimate power rests with the national leaders it's not relevant, and as the highlighted bit says it's not possible to stop informal negotiations and never was.

Nothing to see here. Move along.

[GB9]

So ATW quoting Merkel and the party whip.

VectraMan saying it was always going to happen, not news.

Make your minds up chaps. You can't have both ways. (Although I agree with VectraMan. It's all very well trying to scare people but reality is different. Merkel will be at the front of the queue).

[DodgyAgent]

Published: 11:14, 11 July 2016 | Updated: 16:16, 11 July 2016

Merkel - "Says EU leaders had made it very clear to UK government that negotiations will not begin until Article 50 is triggered"

Angela Merkel warns Britain you can't 'cherry pick' EU laws after Brexit | Daily Mail Online

Everything is negotiable and the EU does not hold all the cards.

[LondonManc]

Published: 11:14, 11 July 2016 | Updated: 16:16, 11 July 2016

Merkel - "Says EU leaders had made it very clear to UK government that negotiations will not begin until Article 50 is triggered"

Angela Merkel warns Britain you can't 'cherry pick' EU laws after Brexit | Daily Mail Online

What a shock - Merkel looking after her own interests (i.e. her country left to carry the financial can in the EU).

[Mordac]

So ATW quoting Merkel and the party whip.

VectraMan saying it was always going to happen, not news.

Make your minds up chaps. You can't have both ways. (Although I agree with VectraMan. It's all very well trying to scare people but reality is different. Merkel will be at the front of the queue).

Correct me if I'm wrong, and I haven't bothered to look it up, so may well be entirely wrong, but aren't the German elections due in March? Whenever they are, Merkel will get something of a hammering, rightly or wrongly. So by April she will in no position to dictate anything to the UK or anyone else.