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Michel Barnier: Brexit divorce bill must come before EU trade agreement

EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier meeting Enda Kenny at Government Buildings in Dublin. Picture by Paul Faith, Press Association
EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier meeting Enda Kenny at Government Buildings in Dublin. Picture by Paul Faith, Press Association EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier meeting Enda Kenny at Government Buildings in Dublin. Picture by Paul Faith, Press Association

AGREEMENT over the UK's divorce bill from the European Union must be one of the first priorities for upcoming Brexit talks, the EU's chief negotiator has warned.

Michel Barnier expressed regret at the decision to leave, saying it would "come at a cost" to both Britain and the remaining 27 members of the EU.

But he added that his objective was to reach a "fair deal".

Mr Barnier addressed a joint sitting of the Dáil and Seanad in Dublin yesterday - a privilege normally only afforded to visiting heads of state and prime ministers.

He said there is no reason why the EU and UK could not have a strong relationship following Brexit.

"If the conditions are right, a close partnership with the UK is in everybody's interest. And in Ireland's interest in particular."

He said he hoped to negotiate a "bold and ambitious but fair free trade agreement" but only once progress has been made on issues including the UK's bill for ending its financial commitments to Europe.

In an apparent reference to the diplomatic row caused by leaks following European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker's meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May, Mr Barnier called for "mutual respect" in the talks.

Mrs May has accused Brussels insiders of seeking to influence the outcome of the June 8 general election.

Mr Barnier said: "If we put things in the right order, if we negotiate with mutual respect, without any kind of aggressivity... if we are open to finding solutions, there is no reason why a strong Europe cannot maintain a strong relationship with the UK."

He restated the EU's insistence that the issue of the Irish border, citizens' rights and "the financial settlement" must be the first priorities for talks.

"We first must make sufficient progress on these points before we start discussing the future of our relationship with the UK.

"The sooner this will happen, the better."

Mr Barnier said he wanted the relationship between the UK and EU to extend beyond trade, with co-operation on other cross-border issues.

"We want these negotiations to succeed. I want us to reach a deal," he said.

"The UK has been a member of the EU for 44 years. It should remain a close partner.

"We will need to negotiate a 'bold and ambitious' but fair free trade agreement.

"But we will need the same ambition for our research and innovation networks and for the fight against climate change.

"We need the same ambition in international co-operation and development."