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Brexit negotiations to start on Monday, June 19th - EU, UK confirm

Talks will go ahead despite uncertainty surrounding formation of government

Britain’s Secretary for Exiting the European Union, David Davis, arrives in Downing Street, in central London, Thursday. Photograph: Reuters/Phil Noble
Britain’s Secretary for Exiting the European Union, David Davis, arrives in Downing Street, in central London, Thursday. Photograph: Reuters/Phil Noble
Thu Jun 15 2017 - 17:37

The first round of formal negotiations on Britain’s withdrawal from the EU will begin on June 19th, it has been confirmed.

Following discussions in Brussels on Thursday, the offices of Britain's Brexit Secretary David Davis and the European Commission's chief negotiator Michel Barnier released a joint statement to confirm the date.

The announcement followed speculation that talks may have to be delayed because of the inconclusive outcome of last week’s general election, which has already forced the state opening of parliament to be put back from June 19th to 21th.

But in a statement, officials said: “David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, and Michel Barnier, the European Commission’s chief negotiator, agreed today to launch Article 50 negotiations on Monday, June 19.”

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- PA