Brexit ‘transition’ agreement talks will not be for faint-hearted
Europe Letter: EU states want to know what a continuation of the status quo would mean
EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier: Both sides are agreed about the basic shape of transition. Photograph: Getty Images
It had been suggested by many commentators that in the next round of Brexit talks, the strand dealing with arrangements for a transition period would be the easiest to agree. Importantly, all agree, it must be done soon to provide business with a degree of certainty.
Both sides are agreed about the basic shape of transition – a continuation for the UK of the rights and obligations of member states as if it had not left – except of course that, having left the EU, the UK would not be able to participate in decision-making. The transition, both sides appeared to be agreed, would only last about two years.