brussels european union nations except britain begin prepare wednesday transition period relations london future tie brexit meet next month aim draw guidelines eu leaders december brussels envoys 27 eu state remain bloc britain exit march 29 2019 meet first time since eu leaders last week decide enough progress make talk term divorce britain start discussions future relations yet encourage strong efforts eu leaders say would start prepare talk transition period ready enough progress make next summit december process start sense meet successively ... come month one eu official involve talk say add likely discussion subject also ministerial meet nov 20. prepare think transition future relationship possible additional guidelines december european council official say outcome work would likely present december summit conclusions leaders decide enough progress make divorce term officials say britain want outline agreement european union place end march 2018 transitional arrangements apply temporarily leave bloc brexit minister david davis say wednesday eu officials say tough goal one could achieve london show enough willingness much first quarter get uk engage way make possible official say side expect transition period around two years eu chief negotiator michel barnier tuesday say would mean preserve status quo britain would stay subject eu laws court time interview belgium echo newspaper barnier say difference full eu membership transition period would british would long take part decisions european legislation eu officials say extra two years transition would buy time talk future free trade agreement pour cold water idea extend exit negotiations beyond period view keep britain within eu think anyone foresee extension exist negotiation period eu official say already dance around uk long first cameron referendum need end point official say businesses britain europe concern slow progress brexit talk know future trade agreement britain big trade partner eu already start move staff operations britain hedge bet could follow clarity give two negotiate side end year barnier say britain could count bespeak trade deal brexit since rule follow example norway relations eu would probably model tie arrangement eu canada non-eu norway currently pay access bloc single market 500 million people though part customs union exchange also oblige allow free movement people eu britain want leave eu internal market customs union mean canada scenario likely european bloc trade deal canada ambitious arrangement yet take effect deal canada still pursue bilateral trade agreements elsewhere world eu envoys start discussion tie london brexit