EU agrees on approach to Brexit talks, PM May left out in cold

BRUSSELS – Reuters

European Union leaders agreed their plan for Brexit negotiations on Dec. 15, pledging to move swiftly and stick together to ensure Britain does not cherry pick a sweet deal that might inspire others to unstitch the bloc. 

U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May left before the other 27 leaders met briefly to formalize their plan for how to run Brexit talks. 

Before heading home, diplomats said May had assured her European partners that she would launch the two-year process by the end of March despite how London judges rule in a constitutional court case that some say might jeopardize her timetable. 

“It’s right that the other leaders prepare for those negotiations as we have been preparing,” May told reporters. 

The 27 issued a statement saying they were “determined to see the Union succeed,” and were ready to negotiate quickly to “tackle the uncertainties” raised by the prospect of Brexit. 

But “any agreement will have to be based on a balance of rights and obligations,” they insisted, and reject British attempts to remain in the EU’s single market if it does not accept free immigration from the continent - one of four key freedoms of the Union which British voters rejected in a June referendum. 

May, who was filmed looking unsure of herself as leaders gathered, left the summit with no mention of Brexit, focusing instead on Syria and a pledge to provide a further 20 million pounds (23.8 million euros) of support for the most vulnerable fleeing Aleppo. 

She had sought to reinforce her message that, while still a member, Britain would play a full part in discussions on EU issues and keen to set a conciliatory tone for a “smooth” exit, welcoming the meeting of the other EU leaders without her. 

The EU negotiating plan confirmed that a special set of institutions would be set up, mirroring existing EU forums but excluding Britain. Ministerial councils and councils of envoys would meet to keep national governments in overall control of negotiations led by French former Minister Michel Barnier, the point man for the European Commission, the EU executive.