Exit negotiations historic not just for UK but also EU

THE United Kingdom began on Monday formal exit negotiations with the European Union (EU) in Brussels. The milestone moment heralds the start of the second, historic chapter of the long-running Brexit saga.

Since last June's referendum, there has been much international attention on sometimes heated intra-UK debates about leaving the EU which were re-played in this month's general election. It is already clear that the Brexit vote was the most important moment in UK politics for many years and has defined Theresa May's now-shaky premiership.

Yet, the real negotiating action is only just about to begin. And when it does starting Monday, attention will shift from UK internal discussions over Brexit to the unfolding drama between the UK and EU-27.