Barnier given greenlight to start Brexit talks

European Union (EU) Chief Negotiator for Brexit Michel Barnier on Monday was given greenlight to kick off Brexit talks.

"We have a mandate supported by all EU 27 countries," Barnier proclaimed at a press conference following EU's General Affairs Council which adopted unanimously a decision authorizing Brexit negotiations.

The Council also adopted the first set of negotiating directives tackling three main areas -- safeguarding the status and rights of citizens, reaching an agreement on the principles of the financial settlement of the UK's obligations as an EU member, and providing for the new external borders of the EU.

Hailing the Council's decision as "a milestone", Barnier said: "We are ready to sit down at the negotiating table with the UK. Our objective is to rapidly reach an agreement on the issues put forward by the Council today."

The European Commission on May 3 sent its recommendations to the Council to open the Brexit negotiations with London, putting EU citizens' rights and status on center stage.

The move came on the heels of an EU summit on April 29, when 27 remaining members of the EU unanimously adopted the two-phase guidelines for Brexit talks.

The Brexit talks is believed to kick off after Britain's snap election on June 8.