The 'sherpas' of the EU27 met again in Brussels on Monday 24 April to assess the draft guidelines of the Council for the negotiations on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, to be adopted by the European leaders at the special summit of Twenty-Seven on Saturday 29 April.
According to an EU source, almost no changes have been made to the draft text other than a few marginal technical adjustments of no great importance. The discussions were consensual, the source added.
The national experts had already met to assess the draft guidelines published at the end of March by the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk (see EUROPE 11759). Their meeting on Tuesday 11 April gave rise to a few minor changes, particularly concerning the rights of citizens adversely affected by Brexit (see EUROPE 11772).
The national ambassadors to the EU (Coreper) will discuss the text again on Wednesday 26 April. In Luxembourg the following day, at their first meeting of 27 within the 'General Affairs' Council, the European affairs ministers will do likewise.
As well as the guidelines, the Twenty-Seven will more generally discuss the consequences of Brexit and the terms of the forthcoming negotiations. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)