Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has called on EU leaders to move on to discussing the future UK - EU trading relationship in Brexit talks, following reports that the UK has agreed in principle to a financial settlement with the EU.
EU Heads of Government will meet in December to decide whether to move to the next phase of the negotiations.
Mr Nicholson said:
“While negotiators on all sides will likely stick to the principle of ‘nothing is agreed until everything is agreed’, if it is the case that the financial settlement has been agreed between the UK and the EU, this marks a significant step in progress in talks.
“It is in the best interests of all parties that we now move to discussing the future UK-EU trading relationship. This is also key to finding a solution to the border difficulties. If we can agree a bespoke tariff-free free trade agreement, and a new customs arrangement between the UK and the European Union, we can solve a number of problems.
“The reported figure of some £50 billion is indeed a very large sum of money. I hope that as negotiations progress, the EU doesn’t start asking for more.”