'United and prepared' EU Brexit negotiator ready to force Theresa May to reveal her plans
EUROPEAN UNION bosses are attempting to block Britain from holding Brexit talks in private - despite Theresa May's calls for confidentiality.
Michel Barnier wants Brexit documents to be made public
The bloc has claimed it will make its negotiating documents public and has insisted Britain do the same.
Top EU officials have said Brussels will make papers and memos available, amid fears the bloc is attempting to force Mrs May to reveal her negotiating strategy.
A list of papers which the EU will disclose throughout the talks was revealed to the UK.
Official negotiations start in one month but the EU has demanded talks take place in stages, called a ’phased approach’ by European Council President Donald Tusk.
Bloomberg News reported a draft seven-page document entitled “Guiding principles for transparency” has listed a timeline scheduled to continue until late 2018.
Jean Claude-Juncker and Michel Barnier have said they want to make memos public
Jean Claude-Juncker said the British Brexit team should be making their negotiations public
Michel Barnier: We want a deal with the UK not AGAINST it
We’re prepared to have great transparency on all the negotiating documents that are to be made public
The EU transparency principles document is due to be approved by governments on Monday.
It is expected to cover items including position papers, discussion notes and memos on future proposals drawn up by Michel Barnier the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator.
Currently, it says British documents may be released by the EU “subject to prior consultation” with the UK.
Mr Barner said: “We’re prepared to have great transparency on all the negotiating documents that are to be made public
The EU has insisted it came to this decision in the interests of transparency.
However, critics have said it is more likely EU chiefs are worried about ensuring documents remain confidential after being transferred around 27 countries.
Negotiating guidelines, handed to the 27 member states have already been made public in some media outlets.
But the EU is refusing to accept the argument and is insisting its only motivation is being clear and open with Europeans.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: “The Brexit process shows how united and prepared the EU will be.
“It underlines how deep our commitment to transparency is."
According to a document accompanying the mandate for the EU side: “Ensuring that the negotiations are conducted in a transparent manner will be one of the keys of their success
“A coherent EU approach to transparency arrangements for the negotiations should be carefully defined well ahead of the formal start of negotiations.”
Jean Claude-Juncker and Michel Barnier said they want the UK to follow their lead
Former govt advisor backs Theresa May standing up to Brussels
Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit team is keen not to make its debates public and has stressed it will not provide a running commentary of the divorce talks.
Mrs May said in a speech in London, earlier this year: “Those who urge us to reveal more -- such as the blow-by-blow details of our negotiating strategy, the areas in which we might compromise, the places where we think there are potential trade-offs -- will not be acting in the national interest.”