Brexit guide

Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska, Centre for European Reform (CER) analyst, has a similar opinion. - The formal exit of Great Britain from the Union is not the end of the Brexit saga, but only the beginning. At the same time, she points out that the Community began to prepare for this stage much earlier than London, which gives Brussels an advantage at the very beginning. - Although the nature of the talks will change fundamentally, the EU side has kept the negotiation team with Michel Barnier at the forefront unchanged.

Gostyńska-Jakubowska also points to the lack of UK’s detailed negotiating position, because so far all political attention in London has been focused on Brexit itself. - The assumption that in the next stage you will be able to come to Brussels, hit the table with a fist, throw a joke and try political games is wrong. Johnson will not escape specific technical discussions.

The CER expert expects the British government to stimulate divisions within the Community, wishing to play the potential conflicting interests of individual member states. - Some differences of opinion between Member States have already been seen before. There were disputes over financial services or the regulation of the land transport sector, which is particularly important for Poland.

Gostyńska-Jakubowska believes that the 11-month transition period will be used by EU negotiators as a test of the credibility and good intentions of British partners. - The Union will monitor key provisions of the exit agreement, including on the particularly sensitive issue of protection and the rights of Union citizens living on the Islands.