Theresa May to meet Donald Tusk ahead of European Council talks on Brexit

Theresa May - credit: PA

The Prime Minister will meet with Donald Tusk for the first time since laying out plans for a two-year post-Brexit transition period later today.

Talks with the European Council President follow Theresa May’s speech in Florence last week, where she said the UK would continue making payments to the EU in order to trade inside the single market, while maintaining freedom of movement during the transition period.

The meeting comes ahead of next month’s decision by the Council on whether enough progress has been made on the key areas of citizens’ rights, the Irish border and divorce bill.

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Only then, the bloc says, can talks progress to bilateral UK/EU arrangements such as a trade deal.

The meeting comes after Brexit Secretary David Davis began the fourth round of negotiations in Brussels with opposite number Michel Barnier on Monday.

Europe’s chief negotiator said the Government needs to provide more “clarity” on its plans.

“We do not need to remind ourselves that we are six months into the process. We are getting closer to the UK’s withdrawal and I think this moment should be a moment of clarity,” he said.

Davis hit back however, saying that May had shown the “leadership and flexibility needed to make a success of these negotiations”.