European Council President Donald Tusk was in London on Thursday 6 April to present UK Prime Minister Theresa May with the EU27's guidelines that were unveiled on 31 March. The European leaders will be asked to approve these guidelines on 29 April (see EUROPE 11759).
According to a Downing Street spokesperson, May reiterated the UK's intention to ensure a deep and special partnership with the European Union after it leaves the EU and noted the constructive approach set out by the Council in its draft guidelines published last week.
May said the UK looked forward to beginning negotiations officially once the 27 member states had agreed on the guidelines, the press release stated. The negotiating directives are due to be adopted on 22 May.
The two leaders agreed that the tone of the discussions had been positive on both sides and that they would try to remain in close contact as the negotiations progress.
May also said that the UK's position had not changed on the subject of Gibraltar: the UK will seek the best agreement possible for Gibraltar when it leaves the EU and there will be no negotiations on the sovereignty of Gibraltar without the consent of its people. Tusk tweeted that he confirmed the commitment to remain in close contact as the negotiations progress. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)