Merkel: Brexit divorce bill to be discussed at start of talks

 REUTERS, 27th APRIL, 2017   
Berlin (dpa) - Discussions about Britain’s financial commitments to the European Union must come at the start of Brexit negotiations, Chancellor Angela Merkel said.   

Speaking in the German parliament on Thursday, Merkel said Britain would not retain the same rights once it has left the EU, adding that some in the country still had “illusions, and that is a waste of time.”   

The German leader was setting the agenda two days ahead of a Brexit summit that brings together representatives of the bloc’s remaining 27 member states to finalize their negotiating stance and approve EU guidelines on the negotiations.   

There are fears that a steep British divorce settlement could become a critical sticking point in the negotiations.