Brexit Transition Offer

EU leaders will offer Britain a Brexit transition deal, the summit chair Donald Tusk said - but the deal will only be finalized if London honors its commitments on the Irish border and Gibraltar.

As sought by London, British Prime Minister Theresa May will be offered a 21-month, status quo transition period to help businesses adjust to Britain’s official withdrawal from the EU, due in March 2019.

“I have some good news for Prime Minister Theresa May,” Tusk told a news conference. “I have just recommended to our leaders that we welcome, in principle, the agreement on transition.”

“It is important – not least to our people and businesses – to buy this time, so that everyone is prepared for the real impact of Brexit.”

But the deal will only take effect if the two sides agree within the next year on the future status of both the Irish border - an issue they have so far struggled to reach agreement on - and Gibraltar.

As well as offering Britain an interim accord on Friday, the remaining 27 EU states will also agree on their joint negotiating stance for further talks with London, due to start next month, on the two sides’ future relationship.

Read More: http://www.industryeurope.net/Transport,/Feature/12116/EUs-Tusk-confirms-Brexit-transition-offer-to-London/

#Brexit #EU