Formal Brexit negotiations to get underway as Government triggers Article 50

Prime Minister Theresa May has launched Britain on its journey to leave the European Union after signing a letter to trigger Article 50 – the first step in the formal two-year divorce process.

With the document signed, the British ambassador to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow, will now deliver the Government’s decision to the European Council in Brussels.

A series of key events, all part of the Article 50 triggering process, will take place today (March 29). Here’s what will happen:

At 8am, the Cabinet will discuss the letter signed by the PM on Tuesday. Then at 12.30pm, Sir Tim Barrow will deliver the letter to Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council in Brussels. Article 50 has been officially triggered once Mr Tusk accepts the document.

Also at 12.30pm today, following Prime Minister’s Questions, Theresa May will make a formal statement to MPs that confirms the start of the Brexit process.

After the statement, at around 12.45pm, a text of the letter to Brussels will be released and sent to the leaders of the EU’s other member states. Also at 12.45pm, Mr Tusk will make a statement to reporters.

This afternoon at 4.15pm, a press conference will be jointly held by European Parliament President Antonio Tajani and appointed Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt.

According to ITV News, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is holding a press event at 4.30pm in Malta on EU issues unrelated to Britain’s departure, but he is likely to also talk about Brexit at some point.

The European Commission will issue draft negotiation guidelines within two days, to be sent for consultation to the EU’s 27 remaining members, whose leaders will gather on April 29 for a European Council summit.

At the meeting, they are expected to agree on a mandate for Michel Barnier, the chief negotiator in the process, ahead of talks that will begin in May.

Tomorrow (March 30), the Government will produce a white paper on the Great Repeal Bill – legislation turning decades of European regulations into domestic laws.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →