Brexit – Britain’s divorce issues 

Prime Minister Theresa May will meet European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier to discuss three priority areas ahead of an EU summit on December 14-15


DIVORCE BILL (estimates, € billions)        €86.4 billion
Officials’ pensions  9.6      
Projects 2019-20 17.4     
Agriculture 2019-20   14.2       
“Reste à liquider” Other (unpaid commitments) 32.4          
Other 12.8 

Commission wants Britain to pay its share of EU’s €665bn long-term liabilities – estimated to be 13%, or €86.4bn. London calculates figure should be €32bn and has offered €20bn


EU CITIZENS’ RIGHTS
More than 3 million EU citizens live in UK. Differences remain on status of EU citizens in UK after Brexit, so-called right of family reunification.
EU wants unrestricted entry of family members to EU citizens in UK. European Parliament’s lead Brexit negotiator
Guy Verhofstadt (left) opposes any attempt to dilute citizens’ rights 

IRISH BORDER ISSUE
Dublin wants Northern Ireland to remain in EU customs union and single market, London says Britain will leave both institutions.
Ireland’s Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (right) wants open border guaranteed in writing before
start of trade talks.
35,000 people commute across border every day – bilateral trade with UK amounted to €29bn in 2016


Sources: CSO, Financial Times, LSE, Politico, Reuters

Pictures: Associated Press © GRAPHIC NEWS