LONDON- Boris Johnson to tell European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen shall not extend the transition period beyond December 2020 once it exits the European Union. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he is not seeking a new relationship aligning with the existing rules.
On Wednesday, Johnson shall meet von der Leyen in London for the first time since she took office in December. The commission president will play an important role in the talks regarding the new arrangements between the EU and Britain.
Johnson’s election victory last month was based on his promise to deliver Brexit by January 31st and use the 11-month transition period till December end to negotiate a deal between Britain and the EU.
PM Boris Johnson intends to highlight that the negotiations are to be based on an ambitious FTA (Free-Trade Agreement) and not just on alignment.
There has been doubting on part of von der Leyen on completion of such a complicated trade agreement in this short space of time as similar deals have taken several years to implement.
The meeting will also be attended by British Brexit minister Stephen Barclay and EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.
