Europe’s Firm But Fair Approach to Brexit

With talks on Britain’s exit from the European Union finally about to begin, one procedural issue looms large: Do the negotiations on three big subjects -- exit terms, transitional arrangements, and a future comprehensive agreement on a U.K.-EU partnership -- move in parallel or in entirely separate stages? Disagreement over this seemingly minor detail could sink the whole effort.

The U.K. has far more to lose in these negotiations than the EU, but if the talks break down it would advance the interests of neither side. An understanding on how the talks should proceed is therefore needed at the start -- and a formula suggested last week by the European Council offers grounds for optimism.