Ministers from the European Union have approved their mandate for post-Brexit trade talks with the UK. The document - approved by the EU General Affairs Council today - will be the basis for the negotiations, to be carried out by Michel Barnier.
It says that EU standards should serve as "a reference point" in any future trade deal.
Meanwhile, UK ministers have agreed the government's mandate for the negotiations, which begin on Monday.
EU's Barnier said: “We are ready to offer a highly ambitious trade deal to the UK. But the UK cannot expect high quality access to the single market if its not prepared to accept guarantees that competition remains open and fair, free and fair.”
He added: “There must be robust level playing field, safeguards to avoid unfair advantages social, environmental, tax, and aid state matters.”
He said he quoted the exact sentences that was agreed in the political declaration that was agreed in October.
Barnier said: “The UK will be the EU’s third largest trading partner, almost 10 times bigger than Canada. At the same time Canada is some 5000 km away. It’s clear that the rules cannot be the same. It’s logical, it’s simple.”
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