BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator set out tough conditions for Britain to meet during the first months of talks before both sides can start looking at a future relationship.

Michel Barnier said that Britain needs to make "sufficient progress" on citizens' rights, the bill it has to pay to the EU and on the issue of the Irish border before talks can move to a future trade deal.

After British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the EU can go "whistle" for Britain to pay any excessive bill, Barnier retorted that "I am not hearing any whistling, just the clock ticking" with the deadline of March 2019 drawing ever closer.