Responsibility for Brexit deal ‘rests with uk’
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You can never have a better situation outside the union guy verhofstadt STRASBOURG YESTERDAY
THE European Parliament’s chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt said the onus lies with the UK to secure a fair divorce deal.
The former Belgian prime minister – one of the key players in the trade negotiations – added Ireland’s interests are at the top of his priorities.
In a tough anti-brexit speech to MEPS in Strasbourg yesterday, Mr Verhofstadt warned Theresa May the burden of responsibility to secure a fair deal lies with Britain as they initiated Brexit.
He also said that, in effect, out means out, and that the UK cannot “cherry pick” the terms of the divorce.
Mr Verhofstadt said new key priorities of the EU would be unveiled at the European Council in March.
He told MEPS: “There are three key elements, first of all, to formalize the withdrawal agreement – besides Ireland, our key priority is to get the citizens’ rights right.
“We need – as I already said in December – rock-solid guarantees from them [the UK], especially about the procedure.
“People need to be simply able to continue their rights, the burden of proof needs to be on the UK authorities.
“Secondly, the transition, it needs to be a real transition, we won’t allow cherry picking.
“All EU legislation, all EU policies will apply.
“The only exception is that the UK will no longer be represented in the institutions who decide on this legislation, on these policies.
“So I am pleased with the new version of the negotiation directives of the Council after the transition.
“Thirdly, we need a political declaration, not the details, naturally, defining the future of our relationship.
“On this, let us not reinvent the wheel.
“Let’s use the existing treaty, more specifically Article 217 which foresees for all the countries in our neighbourhood an association agreement, preferably a deep one, not only trade, but also security, internal and external.
“In this resolution we will set out our clear conditions under in order for us to give our final consent.
“You can never have a better situation outside the union than inside.” Mr Verhofstadt also seemed to poke fun at Brexit campaigner and former UKIP leader Nigel Farage.
He said the English MEP’S calls for a second Brexit referendum, before then backtracking, suggested someone may have spiked his coffee.
Mr Verhofstadt added: “Nigel seems hugely disorientated, he doesn’t seem to be himself anymore after his meeting with Michael Barnier [the EU’S chief negotiator on Brexit].
“He said he wanted a second Brexit referendum. “I presume he’s seen the polls? And then, a day later, he came back to it.
“Did you put something in his coffee? Or his tea?”