Midday brief, in brief

Today at Commission, Brexit day and Russian disinformation

Date for triggering Article 50 announced as Commission briefs the press.

Monday’s European Commission press briefing was given a jolt by news out of London — that the U.K. will trigger Article 50 on March 29.

The Commission usually doesn’t comment on events that happen during the midday, but on this occasion chief spokesman Margaritis Schinas was able to elaborate a little.

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The Commission was “informed in advance” of the date, Schinas said, although he was far from specific on how the Commission found out, suggesting it was at a technical seminar between political aides and advisers — so-called sherpas — who will work on Brexit.

He added that they were “still waiting for the official letter” from Britain and once that letter is sent, European Council President Donald Tusk will convene a summit of the EU27 leaders to draft guidelines on the Brexit negotiations.

The Commission will meet “immediately” after the EU leaders’ meeting to provide recommendations to its chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier.

Asked if Barnier will issue a formal statement on the kicking off of the Brexit process, Schinas said “the negotiator will speak when he has things to say.”

EU-Turkey deal and migration

The Commission announced that Italy will receive an extra €12.2 million for its coastguard operations to rescue migrants at sea.

The controversial EU-Turkey migration deal celebrated its first anniversary over the weekend, and Schinas described it as “a game changer” in slowing down migration and refugee flows and to damage “the business model of smugglers.”

“Instead of social media campaigns, the European Commission and member states are working day in and day out on the ground,” he said.

Mogherini urged to take on Russia

Several reporters grilled Maja Kocijančič, the spokeswoman of EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, after Prague-based think tank European Values published an open letter from several dozen high-profile signatories urging her to take Russian government and media disinformation strategy and tactics “seriously.”

Kocijančič said Mogherini has taken “this issue very seriously,” and reminded that the European External Action Service set up a task force to work on Russia’s disinformation strategies.