European Commission takes next step in Article 50 process by recommending draft negotiating directives

The European Commission adopted on the 3 May 2017 a recommendation to the Council of the European Union to open the Article 50 negotiations with the UK, in accordance with Article 218(3) of the Treaty on European Union. The recommendation included draft negotiating directives.

The text complemented the political guidelines adopted by the 27 Heads of State or Government on 29 April 2017 and provided the necessary details to conduct the first phase of the negotiations.

This reflected the two-phased approach put forward by the leaders of the 27 Member States and prioritised those matters which were necessary to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Special European Council (art. 50), Brussels, 29 April 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/special-european-council-art-50-brussels-29-april-2017/

ESO: Background information: Article 50 triggered http://www.europeansources.info/record/article-50-triggered/

European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/17/1205, 03.05.17: Speech by Michel Barnier at the press conference on the adoption of the Commission's recommendation on draft negotiating directives http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-17-1205_en.htm

European Commission: DG Communication: MEMO/17/1183, 03.05.17: European Commission's draft negotiating directives for Article 50 negotiations with the United Kingdom http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-17-1183_en.htm

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: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

Politico, 03.05.17: Brexit won’t be painless, warns EU’s Michel Barnier http://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-wont-be-painless-warns-eus-michel-barnier/

EUObserver, 03.05.17: Barnier unveils EU's Brexit goals https://euobserver.com/uk-referendum/137746

EurActiv, 03.05.17: EU raises stakes for Brexit talks with demand for more cash http://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/eu-raises-stakes-for-brexit-talks-with-demand-for-more-cash/

BBC News, 03.05.17: Brexit: UK and EU at odds over size of 'divorce bill' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39789903

Deutsche Welle, 03.05.17: EU negotiator Barnier reveals plan for Brexit talks http://p.dw.com/p/2cGMW

European Commission: DG Communication: STATEMENT/17/918, 07.04.17: Speech by Michel Barnier at the 7th State of the Union Conference, European University Institute, Florence http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-17-1236_en.htm

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