The European negotiator for the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union expressed Thursday on the agreement found since Strasbourg. He officially handed over the text to the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani and MEP Guy Verhofstadt. According to Michel Barnier, there are still many steps before a total withdrawal from the United Kingdom.
Michel Barnier delivered officially Thursday at noon the text of the agreement reached on the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union to the representatives of the European Parliament , the Italian President Antonio Tajani and the Belgian chief negotiator of the institution Guy Verhofstadt . The French recalled that “we are not at the end of the road, there are still many stages. “
“We are at an important point “ he says. “It builds the foundation of trust to build the future relationship, one that is more important than separation. “
He praised the fact that “Theresa May has taken her responsibilities ” by having her government endorse the agreement on Brexit. “This is a treaty we are talking about, not a speech, which has consequences for 4.5 million people who have the status of residents. “ In fact, 3.2 million Europeans live in the UK while qu’1,3 million Britons living on the continent.
He recalled the British commitment to respect his word as to his financial commitments. “We will implement what was decided at 28,” he said. “This will give guarantees to all those who implement European policies. “
The transition period will allow to establish the future relationship between British and Europeans according to the European negotiator. “It will also allow the UK to prepare its administrations,” he said.
The European Parliament always vigilant
The negotiators of the European Parliament and Michel Barnier have seen each other weekly to take stock of Brexit. “The United Kingdom leaves the European Union but not Europe. We want to continue our friendship with the British. We want to continue to cooperate with them, “ said the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani. “The work done by Michel Barnier is going in the right direction. “
Guy Verhofstadt said that “Brexit remains an injury” , hoping “that someday the United Kingdom will return to the European family. “ The leader of the European Liberals felt that this is the ” best agreement we could have in a very complex situation. “
The European negotiator for the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union expressed Thursday on the agreement found since Strasbourg. He officially handed over the text to the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani and MEP Guy Verhofstadt. According to Michel Barnier, there are still many steps before a total withdrawal from the United Kingdom.
Michel Barnier delivered officially Thursday at noon the text of the agreement reached on the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union to the representatives of the European Parliament , the Italian President Antonio Tajani and the Belgian chief negotiator of the institution Guy Verhofstadt . The French recalled that “we are not at the end of the road, there are still many stages. “
“We are at an important point , ” he says. “It builds the foundation of trust to build the future relationship, one that is more important than separation. “
The solution on Northern Ireland
“The hardest part was the northern Irish border , “ said Michel Barnier. “It’s clear when you go there that it’s not just about goods or services, but something that engages people and peace . “
With the solution of the “safety net”, “the British territory will not be divided and our companies will be protected” , promises the European negotiator who revealed that his services were gone on this subject “of the idea which had been provided for in the Checkers plan” . A solution that should not be used, he hopes, because the safety net will come into effect only if no agreement is reached after the transition period.
“The integrity of the European project and the internal market is preserved,” he said, while warning that “our highest priority is the preservation of the rights of European citizens. We will monitor the application of these rights very closely. “
