Brussels Says Ready To Start Talks With UK On Future Relations Immediately After March 30

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th November, 2018) Brussels is ready to start negotiations on a deal on future relations with the United Kingdom immediately after the latter leaves the union, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Wednesday.

The UK and EU negotiators agreed the draft "divorce" deal in Brussels on Tuesday. It defines parameters of the UK departure from the union, UK Prime Minister Theresa May announced earlier on Wednesday day that the UK government approved the document.

"We are preparing, and we will be ready to start the negotiations [on the framework for the future relationship] the very day after the United Kingdom withdraws from the European Union on March 30, 2019," Barnier said.

He noted that the sides have "an outline of a political statement," setting out the basis for an ambitious partnership, "which is a free trade area based on regulatory and customs cooperation, [which is] in-depth and with a level playing field."