European Council President Charles Michel will set out preparatory discussions ahead of a summit to broker the EU’s budget between 2021-2027. Following the UK’s departure from the EU, Mr Michel is under pressure to replace the substantial amount which will be lost from the budget. On the weekend, countries from Southern and Eastern Europe met to discuss how to restructure the budget post-Brexit. Mr Michel will today meet with several European leaders and could clash with Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, who will represent a more frugal position to the raft of expensive new budget requirements. 

Boris Johnson will now proceed with talks to establish a trade agreement with the EU now the transition period has begun. 

However, this week the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier warned talks could continue into 2021. 

In a speech on Monday, Mr Barnier said a deal could be agreed but there will be separate agreements which will need to be agreed the following year. 

Brexit was also praised by Marine Le Pen who claimed the whole process represented a “terrifying failure” from the EU. 

She said: “The United Kingdom has finally regained its freedom.

“Brexit is a terrifying failure for the European Union.”

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8.31am update: Foreign Office issued Brexit blacklist 

According to The Guardian, the Foreign Office has issued a list of banned words to staff. 

In the leaked memo, the words and phrases which are banned range from “implementation period”, “no deal” and “special partnership”. 

The opening sentence of the memo says: “Brexit is completed. So do not use the term ‘Brexit’, save as a historical event that took place on 31 January 2020.”

8.10am update: France in Poland backdown 

Emmanuel Macron visited Poland this week – the first since he came to power in 2017 –  where he declared his desire to strengthen ties with the country. 

Mr Macron’s comments come in contrast to relations with the EU and Poland. 

Poland has been put under rule of law proceedings following the country’s Law and Justice (PiS) party’s implementation of judicial reforms. 

In the wake of the meeting, Poland’s prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, insisted: “Undoubtedly, France’s role in the EU after Brexit is significantly growing.”

7.42am update: Charles Michel set for showdown 

A funding row could be on the cards for the EU after countries from Southern and Eastern Europe met in Portugal to discuss the consequences of Brexit. 

European Council President, Charles Michel will meet with European leaders today, including Dutch Prime Minister Marke Rutte to discuss the European budget. 

Although some leaders will call for the budget to be inflated following the UK’s departure, Mr Rutte will represent countries who receive less than they pay in and will, therefore, be sceptical to an increased budget.

With that in mind, Mr Rutte will call for a smaller budget than the one previously suggested by the European Commission.