(FILES) This file photo taken on May 15, 2014 shows former European Union commissioner for Internal Market and Services and current special adviser to President of the European Commission for defence and security Michel Barnier speaking at a conference on the review of the EU financial regulation agenda at the EU headquarters in Brussels. European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker appointed on July 27, 2016 veteran French politician and former EU commissioner Michel Barnier to lead the negotiations with Britain on its exit from the bloc. / AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS