Draft Brexit Deal ‘Fair and Balanced’ – EU’s Barnier

EU Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier told a news conference after briefing 27 national EU ministers that in general, they approved of the draft divorce agreement reached last week.

“We are in fact at a decisive moment in this process; no one should lose sight of the progress that has been achieved in Brussels and in London. Globally speaking, the deal is fair and balanced. In particular, member states support the draft withdrawal agreement. The EU side will still have to decide the internal process for agreeing to extend the transition period,” Barnier said.

The statement comes after European governments began to work on a plan for close ties with post-Brexit Britain in the final week before they come together to sign the withdrawal papers.

The other 27 EU ministers held a meeting in Brussels at the beginning of what UK Prime Minister Theresa May called “an intense week of negotiations” ahead of Sunday’s summit.

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R.S