Brexit germany rules out informal negotiations

A significant development in the Brexit saga!

According to reports, Germany has ruled out informal negotiations with the UK on Brexit, citing the need for a formal agreement to ensure a smooth transition. This move comes as the UK and EU are struggling to reach a consensus on the terms of their divorce, with the deadline for a deal looming.

Here are the key points:

  1. No informal talks: Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has made it clear that there will be no informal negotiations between the UK and EU on Brexit. This means that any discussions will need to be formal and based on the EU's negotiating guidelines.
  2. Formal agreement required: Merkel emphasized the need for a formal agreement to ensure a smooth transition and avoid a no-deal Brexit. This is in line with the EU's stance that any agreement must be based on the EU's four freedoms: free movement of goods, services, capital, and people.
  3. No concessions on EU's core principles: The EU is unlikely to make concessions on its core principles, including the single market and the customs union. The UK, on the other hand, is seeking a more flexible arrangement that would allow it to diverge from EU rules.
  4. Time running out: The deadline for a Brexit deal is rapidly approaching, with the UK set to leave the EU on March 29, 2019. If a deal is not reached, the UK will face a no-deal Brexit, which could have significant economic and political consequences.

This development is likely to increase the pressure on the UK government to reach a compromise with the EU. The UK's Prime Minister Theresa May has been trying to negotiate a deal with the EU, but so far, the two sides have been unable to agree on key issues, including the Irish border and the rights of EU citizens in the UK.

The situation remains fluid, and it's unclear what the next steps will be. However, one thing is certain: the stakes are high, and the outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for the UK, the EU, and the global economy.