​On the 16th January 2017 the CoR Conference of Presidents and Michel Barnier the European Commissioner Chief negotiator met on the subject of Brexit.  The European Alliance Group President Mr Szwabski was actively present in the discussion which covered:

Negotiation Procedures: Brexit's consequences at the EU level and on the devolved nations in the UK, and on EU regional and local authorities, and,  the Brexit's impact on the EU regional and local level from the economic, social and constitutional perspectives.

Mr Barnier highlighted the need for local and regional authorities to be active, not only across the 27 Member States but also in the UK.  He outlined his willingness to listen to the devolved Nations.

Mr Szwabski mentioned both the Scottish wish to have a differentiated approach and also Northern Ireland.  Mr Barnier replies that he was aware of both and that he was also very conscious of the issues around Northern Ireland as he was the commissioner dealing with the PEACE programme. Mr Szwabski also raised the implications on local government across the 27 Member State in Cohesion, Structural Funds and other policy areas.  Mr Barnier is keen to hear the CoR views on these thematic impacts from a local government perspective.