European Commission sets up Task Force led by Michel Barnier as Chief Negotiator for the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the United Kingdom

On the 14 September 2016, the European Commission decided to set up a Task Force for the preparation and conduct of the negotiations with the United Kingdom under Article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union. This follows the appointment, on the 27 July 2016, by President Juncker of Michel Barnier as Chief Negotiator in charge of those negotiations and of the new Task Force. Mr Barnier will take up his duties as of 1 October 2016.

Furthermore, the Deputy Director-General in the European Commission's trade department, Sabine Weyand, was appointed as Deputy Chief Negotiator also from the 1 October 2016.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 15.09.16: Sabine Weyand joins Barnier to lead Brexit negotiations http://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/sabine-weyand-joins-barnier-to-lead-brexit-negotiations/

EurActiv, 21.09.16: EU’s Barnier builds Brexit negotiation team, plans European tour http://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/eus-barnier-builds-brexit-negotiation-team-plans-european-tour/

The Local.fr, 30.09.16: Frenchman leading Brexit negotiations starts new job https://www.thelocal.fr/20160930/frenchman-leading-brexit-negotiations-starts-new-job

The Conversation, 29.09.16: Four men who will shape the way the EU negotiates Brexit https://theconversation.com/four-men-who-will-shape-the-way-the-eu-negotiates-brexit-65576

ESO: Background information: President Juncker appoints Michel Barnier as Chief Negotiator in charge of the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the United Kingdom under Article 50 of the TEU http://www.europeansources.info/record/president-juncker-appoints-michel-barnier-as-chief-negotiator-in-charge-of-the-preparation-and-conduct-of-the-negotiations-with-the-united-kingdom-under-article-50-of-the-teu/

ESO: Background information: Parliament appoints Guy Verhofstadt as representative on Brexit matters http://www.europeansources.info/record/parliament-appoints-guy-verhofstadt-as-representative-on-brexit-matters/

EurActiv, 25.11.16: Barnier steps up Brexit talk preparations http://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/barnier-steps-up-brexit-talk-preparations/

---