BRUSSELS: The EU will adopt demands Monday for a transition period that binds Britain by the bloc’s laws for nearly two years after Brexit, a plan that is dividing the British government. The so-called negotiating directives say Britain must follow EU rules “as if it were a member state” during that time but without having any say — even on laws that are passed after Brexit. The EU guidelines also say the transition period must be “clearly defined and precisely limited in time”. EU officials insist that during the transition period Britain would be bound by the same rules which stipulate that member states cannot sign independent trade deals. They said it would ease the change for citizens as well as providing a “bridge” to an eventual post-Brexit trade deal between the EU and UK.

Source: Manila Times January 29, 2018 03:22 UTC