Britain must contribute to EU budget until 2020 to secure favourable Brexit terms
Charles Grant, the director of the Centre for European Reform, a pro-EU think-tank said that Germany - egged on by France - was leading the hardline on the budget issue, which Europe says must be satisfactorily resolved before it will agree to trade talks. "Some top officials suggest that they will not compromise on the €60 billion," he said, "But if the British are willing to compromise on the money, they will find the 27 willing to start talks on an FTA."
"They will also convince the rest of the EU that they are serious about reaching a mutually-beneficial deal, and that will help to create the goodwill that the UK requires in order to achieve generous access to the European market."