EU Says It Can Start Formal Brexit Negotiations as of May 22
- Talks can only begin after EU Council approves directives
- Procedural matters will be discussed in the meantime
EU's Tusk Says 'No Such Thing as Brexit Bill' for U.K.
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The European Union will only begin substantial Brexit negotiations as of May 22, according to an EU official with knowledge of the discussions, leaving a window of less than 18 months for the U.K to reach a compromise for an orderly withdrawal.
The EU’s General Affairs Council, comprising the bloc’s European affairs ministers, will meet on May 22 to approve the 27 nations’ negotiating directives, said the official, who asked not to be identified because deliberations are private. Any talks before then will only be able to cover format, not substance.