British News Agency

The European Commission has proposed opening negotiations with the UK to allow the free movement enjoyed by millions of 18 to 30-year-olds before Brexit.

The Commission announced that it would seek approval from EU leaders to start these negotiations, which could partially eliminate one of the most controversial elements of Brexit: the right to live in each other's countries, albeit for a limited period and under limited conditions.

Regarding the post-Brexit trade deal with Northern Ireland, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "Since the Windsor agreement came into force, our relations have become much more constructive.

There are certainly issues where we can cooperate more closely ... and the issue of youth mobility is in our interests because the more youth mobility on both sides of the channel, the more likely we are to have good relations because the next generation knows each other very well."

The Commission announced that it would seek approval from EU leaders to start these negotiations, which could partially eliminate one of the most controversial elements of Brexit: the denial of the right to live in each other's countries, albeit for a limited period and under limited conditions.

In a detailed statement, the European Commission said that EU and UK citizens between 18 and 30 could stay in their destination country for up to four years under the proposed agreement.

If an agreement is reached, participating countries will be issued youth mobility program visas, and possible conditions will include health insurance and proof of sufficient living funds, a feature of other mobility programs worldwide.