25/10/2017 (Agence Europe) – The member states’ permanent representatives (Coreper) were due to meet in “Article 50” format late in the afternoon of Wednesday 25 October to begin to consider the internal preparations ahead of the second phase of Brexit negotiations relating to the future partnership between the EU and the UK and the possible transition period. The meeting was expected to think about the working methodology but not yet the content of the mandate that will be given to Michel Barnier as soon as the 27 member states are satisfied that London has made sufficient progress on the first phase of the divorce. It is hoped that it will be possible to grant the mandate in December, as European leaders said last week at the European summit. This Coreper meeting will make preparation for the forthcoming General Affairs Council (Article 50) on 20 November. (SP)