Brexit negotiator Barnier due tomorrow

European Commission Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier, who is representing the European Union in Brexit negotiations, will make an official visit to Helsinki on Thursday, said an official press release.

Barnier is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Juha Sipilä on Thursday to discuss the state of the UK departure negotiations and Finland’s priorities in relation to that as well as other current EU matters.

During his visit, Barnier will also meet with President Sauli Niinistö, Finance Minister Petteri Orpo, European Affairs, Culture and Sport Minister Sampo Terho, members of the Grand Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee and Commerce Committee of parliament, as well as other stakeholders and business leaders of the country.

The Brexit negotiations at the moment are focused on the withdrawal agreement, which also includes the necessary provisions on the period of transition that will run from the UK’s departure from EU from March 2019 until the beginning of its future relationship with the union. The European Council on 23 March 2018 approved a set of guidelines to be followed by the European Commission in its discussions with the UK on the framework for the future EU-UK relationship.