Council (Art 50) authorises the start of Brexit talks and adopts negotiating directives

The Council of the European Union [EU27 format] adopted on 22 May 2017 a decision authorising the opening of Brexit negotiations with the United Kingdom and formally nominating the European Commission as EU negotiator. The Council also adopted a first set of negotiating directives setting out the EU position for the first phase of negotiations.

Both texts are based on a proposal put forward by the Commission on 3 May 2017 and follow up on the guidelines adopted the European Council summit on 29 April 2017. Their adoption allows for the start of negotiations with the UK following the notification of its intention to withdraw from the EU (under article 50 of the Treaty of the EU). The European Commission had already indicated Michel Barnier as its lead negotiator.

• Primary Source

EUObserver, 22.05.17: EU gives mandate for Barnier to take on Brexit https://euobserver.com/uk-referendum/137986

ESO: Information Guide: The EU Referendum, 23 June 2016. The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-the-eu-referendum-23-june-2016-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union-august-2017-edition/

EurActiv, 23.05.17: Deal for orderly Brexit a must, says EU lead negotiator http://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/deal-for-orderly-brexit-a-must-says-eu-lead-negotiator/

European Commission: DG Communication: SPEECH/17/1422, 22.05.17: Statement by Michel Barnier at the press conference following the General Affairs Council (Art. 50) http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-17-1422_en.htm

Deutsche Welle, 22.05.17: FAQ: The Brexit negotiations http://p.dw.com/p/2dP1k

Deutsche Welle, 22.05.17: EU sets out Brexit mandate for chief negotiator Barnier http://p.dw.com/p/2dLaU

European Commission: DG Communication: IP/17/1405, 22.05.17: European Commission receives mandate to begin negotiations with the UK http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-17-1405_en.htm

Politico, 22.05.17: Michel Barnier formally appointed to broker Brexit talks http://www.politico.eu/article/michel-barnier-formally-appointed-to-broker-brexit-talks/

Sputnik International, 23.05.17: EU Approves Directives in Brexit Negotiations https://sptnkne.ws/e2Gh

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