The formal talks between the United Kingdom and the European Union began this week on Monday as the United Kingdom’s Brexit minister David Davis met with the chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier at the European Commission in Brussels. On the first-day press conference, both were able to step aside from the major differences that have dogged the duo since the Brexit vote in last June, and especially after the UK Prime Minister Theresa May triggered the Article 50 in March this year. Here are some key comments made by Mr. Davis and Mr. Barnier,

• “While there is a long road ahead, our destination is clear…a deep and special partnership between the UK and the EU. A deal like no other in history,” this came from Mr. Davis. He is right about a deal like no other in history given the fact that no country has left the EU before.
• “We must first tackle uncertainties caused by Brexit. First for citizens, also for beneficiaries of EU policies and the impact on borders,” this came from Mr. Barnier who clearly outlined the priorities for the initial talks.

The initial talks would focus on the three areas insisted on by the European Union; the rights of the millions of EU nationals living in the UK and millions of Britons living in the Union, the Brexit bill that is currently estimated to be €100 billion (gross), and the borders between Ireland in EU and Northern Ireland in the UK. Despite all the fuss around the Brexit bill, Irish border issue is the most contentious and dangerous, especially for its violent past.