Brexit negotiations are not a ball game: EU tells May
9 Oct 2017 4:39 PM GMT
Brussels: The European Commission has hit back at Theresa May's comments on Brexit negotiations, admonishing the Prime Minister and warning Britain it still has more work to do before a deal can be struck.
In a statement released to the media the night before the start of the fifth round of negotiations Ms May had argued that her Florence speech meant EU had to give ground and that "the ball's in their court".
But speaking to reporters in Brussels on Monday the EU seemed unimpressed by the Prime Minister's approach and comments.
"This is not exactly a ball game," Margaritis Schinas, the Commission's chief spokesperson told reporters in Brussels.
"We do not provide comment on comments. What I can remind you of is that there is a clear sequencing to these talks.
"There has been, so far, no solution found on step one, which is the divorce proceedings, so the ball is entirely in the UK's court for the rest to happen."
The spokesperson said this sentiment been clearly express "by most if not all political groups" in the European Parliament.
British officials confirmed on Monday that David Davis would not be travelling to Brussels today for the start of the talks, as he has done for the previous four rounds.
As a result the customary joint press conference with Brtish and EU officials — sometimes used in the past to snipe at the other side —has also not been scheduled this time.
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