The EU are ready to 'STALL' Brexit talks if the UK refuses to discuss the exit bill

EUROCRATS are willing to “stall” Brexit talks because the UK is “not ready” is discuss the financial settlement, two EU diplomats have revealed.

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تاریخ: ۲۷ تير ۱۳۹۶ - ۱۱:۰۵

Brexit talks commenced yesterday with EU officials claiming they were exasperated by the UK’s lack of preparation and unwillingness to discuss an exit bill.

One EU diplomat said: "Financial settlement is the priority. The EU will not walk away from talks but will stall them.

"The impression we got so far is that the UK is not ready for these talks.”

Brussels' chief negotiator Michel Barnier has insisted financial obligations and the rights of EU citizens in Britain must be thrashed out before future trade relations are discussed.

Another EU diplomat said: "It is reasonable to expect the Brits to say something other than ‘we will not pay a penny.’ If that’s not the case, what is there to talk about?”

The comments follow a statement last week, from Brexit minister Baroness Anelay, that the "Government has been clear that we will work with the EU to determine a fair settlement of the UK’s rights and obligations as a departing member state”.

She added: "The Government recognises that the UK has obligations to the EU, and the EU obligations to the UK, that will survive the UK’s withdrawal — and that these need to be resolved.”

The acknowledgement, despite exciting eurocrats, remains suitably vague and does not tie the UK to any particular agreement.

The EU has put Britain’s exit bill at over £80billion, partly, eurocrats argue, to cover a share of future EU budget commitments the UK made while it was a member.

Brexit secretary David Davis made no reference to financial issues in a press statement alongside the release of three position papers for talks.

On Tuesday, Boris Johnson said: "I think the the sums that I have seen seem to me to be extortionate and I think go whistle is an entirely appropriate expression.”

Mr Barnier hit back at the Foreign Secretary over the comments, he said: "I am not hearing any whistling, just the clock ticking.”

David Davis’ received criticism for his fleeting meeting with his EU counterpart yesterday, that lasted less that two hours.

Mr Barnier delivered an emotionless address, describing the process of the talks and saying: "We need to examine and compare our respective positions in order to make good progress.”

But the Brexit Secretary, in contrast, struck a more idealistic and upbeat tone, saying it was "good to be back in Brussels” and talking up the "similarities” between the two sides.

He told reporters: "We made a good start last month but we’re now getting into the substance of the matter. It’s time to get down to work and make this a successful negotiation.”