(28 August 2017) – EU negotiators and their British counterparts kick off the third round of Brexit talks today, as senior Brussels officials say there are no plans to extend the negotiations beyond the March 2019 deadline despite a clear lack of progress on crucial issues so far.
Like in July, the talks will focus once again on the United Kingdom’s financial settlement, the so-called Brexit bill, citizen rights and Northern Ireland’s border.
Unlike in the first two rounds, when the UK delegation failed to get into the details of the financial obligations, this week it will present a legal analysis of the situation. EU sources say “a lack of substance” stymied the earlier talks.
They also accused the UK of “magical thinking” over plans to create an invisible border on the island of Ireland, confirming that free and frictionless trade after Brexit will not be possible (EurActiv)