EU leaders to meet in Brussels, talk post-Brexit bloc

By Ata Ufuk Seker

BRUSSELS

Leaders of the 27 European Union member countries are to meet in Brussels on Friday to discuss institutional issues including EU’s long-term budget in a post-Brexit bloc.

The new composition of the European Parliament following an election in 2019, how the EU appoints top positions, and political priorities of the post-2020 multi-annual EU budget will be the main topics of the informal summit.

According to a high-ranking EU official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Greek Cypriot administration’s unilateral search for natural gas in the Mediterranean and Turkey’s reaction will also be discussed upon a demand from Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades.

The negotiations on budget will take place in the context of the UK’s exit from the EU, “which will leave a gap of approximately €10 billion per year on average in the EU budget revenues”, according to leaders agenda.

*Nilay Kar Onum contributed to this story from Istanbul