(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) LONDON, Sept 4 (KUNA) -- The British Government on Monday expressed readiness to hold intensive discussions with the European Union (EU) to speed up the Brexit process.
Spokesperson of Prime Minister Theresa May said in a statement that British officials are ready to hold talks with EU counterparts on various issues, not only those related to the border of North Ireland, citizens' rights or "the bill for the pullout." She expressed confidence that the Europeans would agree to holding intensive negotiations, noting that the process would gain steam with time.
On Sunday, the British government accused the EU of blackmailing the UK over its Brexit scheme. Brexit negotiator David Davis said in remarks broadcast by the BBC that the EU, namely its Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, adopted an insensible approach toward the UK during talks between British and EU officials in Brussels last week.
Barnier had spoken of a "costly bill" for London because of its decision to withdraw from the EU.
Davis reacted to Barnier over the Brexit bill, which the bloc has put at 50 billion pounds (USD 65 billion).
"What he's (Barnier) concerned about is that he's not getting the answer on money and they've set this up to try and create pressure on us," Davis told the BBC.
Barnier demanded on Monday that London start "negotiating seriously" as a March 2019 approaches, with talks stalling over priorities, the divorce settlement or Britain's future relationship with the bloc. The EU has called for tackling a number of issues, namely EU citizen rights, Northern Ireland's border and the exit bill.
Britain believes it is not legally obliged to pay any settlement fee though accepts it will have to pay for any future access to the EU institutions. (end) kd.mrn.rk d
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