News / Politics

Extend Brexit transition to 2022, EU suggests, EU’s chief negotiator suggests

Monday, 19 November 2018 3:09 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 19 November 2018 3:09 AM ]

EU Brexit chief negotiator Michel Barnier holds the "draft agreement of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union" as he arrives for a press conference at the European Council in Brussels on November 15, 2018. (AFP photo)

Britain’s transition out of the European Union could take up to 2022, says the EU chief Brexit negotiator.

Michel Barnier made the comments among ambassadors of the EU27 on Sunday, putting the transition date as late as the December of 2022.

The delayed transition, which was originally planned to take place at the end of 2020, could fuel Eurosceptic ire.

Barnier further referred to the volatile situation in London, urging governments not to open the Withdrawal Agreement.

PressTV-UK PM vows to focus on Brexit talks despite challenges

UK PM May says she won’t be distracted from Brexit talks by leadership challenge in her party.

“There’s no need to reopen the text”, he said, adding that, “There is a significant difference between being a member and not a member.”

May had said she would finalize negotiations for leaving the bloc in “a matter of months,” a promise that is on the track to failure.

“The UK could theoretically ask for an extension until 2099 but an 80-year extension might upset people a little bit,” an anonymous EU diplomat was quoted by the British media as saying on Sunday morning.

PressTV-'No-deal Brexit would be disastrous'

Germany’s main industry alliance warns a no-deal Brexit would have disastrous consequences.

The British premier has predicted a “critical week” in the negotiations, adding, “I will be going back to Brussels.

“The negotiating teams are working as we speak and obviously which day I go back to Brussels will partly be about how those negotiations go,” she told Sky News. "I will be going back to Brussels, I will be in touch with other leaders as well, because the summit next week - and it is next week - this special European Council, will be among the European leaders."

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