The UK's early elections on June 8, proposed by Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday, "do not change the plans" of the 27 for the upcoming negotiations of the Brexit, a spokesperson for the European Council president told AFP. "The British elections do not change our EU-27 plans", said Preben Aaman, who was asked about the impact of the elections on the timetable for negotiations, which European officials said could start at the end of May.
The leaders of the 27 must adopt their "guidelines for negotiations" on 29 April, at a summit in Brussels, on the basis of proposals already presented by the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk.
More detailed "guidelines" for negotiations must then be adopted by the EU member states, without the United Kingdom, on 22 May. "This will allow the 27 to start negotiations", the spokesman said.
These negotiations will be conducted on the European side by the French Michel Barnier, appointed by the European Commission, and his team on the basis of the mandate given by the Heads of State and Government.
The Brussels Times
