General Affairs Council (Art. 50)

EU27 ministers met to discuss the state of play in the talks with the UK

Following the negotiations that took place from 16 to 18 April and from 2 to 4 May 2018, EU27 ministers met to discuss the latest developments in the talks with the UK.

The Council (Art. 50) was briefed by the Commission's Brexit chief negotiator Michel Barnier about the latest state of play of the ongoing negotiations with the UK. Commissioner Barnier insisted on the need to continue working on all withdrawal issues and, in light of the lack of significant progress in the latest rounds of talks, recalled the need to intensify the work on preparedness, so that the EU is ready for any possible scenario. The chief negotiator also presented to the EU27 ministers a possible structure for the future partnership discussions with the UK.

On the issue of the border in the island of Ireland, EU27 ministers highlighted the need to make progress by the June European Council (Art. 50). Ministers also recalled the importance of maintaining a constructive approach and the unity of the EU27 throughout the negotiations.