Negotiations between the EU and the UK on their future trading arrangements after Brexit are set to begin next week after EU foreign and European affairs ministers formally gave the go-ahead today (Tuesday).

It comes amid warnings that the UK’s stance on the Withdrawal Agreement could damage the prospects of a deal.

Directives

The directives given to EU negotiators are based on recommendations put forward by the European Commission earlier this month.

They cover all areas of interest for the negotiations, including trade and economic cooperation, law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, foreign policy, security and defence, participation in EU programmes and other areas of cooperation. 

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said his team was determined to reach a deal that protected EU interests. “We will work hand-in-hand with the European Parliament and all Member States and will continue to be fully transparent throughout this process,” he added.

'Ambitious'

The EU said it was aiming for an “ambitious, wide-ranging and balanced economic partnership” with the UK, but it added that this should be underpinned by “robust commitments to ensure level playing field for open and fair competition”.

Earlier, however, Mr Barnier warned that the EU would keep a “very close eye” on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement agreed with the UK last year.

Checks

Weekend reports suggested Boris Johnson’s government was looking at ways to avoid putting checks and controls on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland at the end of this year, when a transition period runs out.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney also warned that failure to implement checks would damage the prospect of a free trade agreement.