Pay up if you want free trade deal, says Barnier
EU chief negotiator warns that while the UK argues over money, key issues remain unresolved
THE European Union’s chief negotiator fired a warning shot at Theresa May yesterday before she had even delivered her landmark Brexit speech, saying that the UK must “settle its accounts” if it wanted a free trade deal. Michel Barnier told the Italian parliament that Britain must agree to a Brexit divorce bill to “build trust” and said that there was still “uncertainty” over the UK’S approach on key issues.
He cast doubt on the Prime Minister’s plan to secure a bespoke trade deal with the EU, warning that the UK could not enjoy the benefits of the Single Market unless it continued to pay into the EU Budget and accept free movement.
Mr Barnier said: “The question facing us over the coming months is serious, but simple: will the United Kingdom leave in an orderly fashion with an agreement, or not?
“From our side, I repeat once again that an agreement is the best outcome. It is in our common interest. But if we want a deal, time is of the essence.”
But Tory MPS accused Brussels of preventing progress. Philip Davies, the MP for Shipley, said a deal could be done in “10 minutes flat” if the EU was willing. The bloc, he said, could find no legal basis for demanding a Brexit bill. “All they are doing is reminding everybody why we voted to Leave… We buy £68 billion more from them than they do from us. If they don’t want to do a deal that is their prerogative but their businesses will be asking questions.”
Mr Barnier warned the UK it has a year left to negotiate a deal. He said key issues that have not been resolved are the financial settlement, the rights of EU citizens and the Irish border. He said the UK would have to accept continued free movement during a transition period after Brexit.
“We are a few days away from the fourth round of negotiations,” Mr Barnier said. “To make progress we are waiting for clear commitments from the UK on these precise issues. We will listen attentively and constructively to Theresa May’s important speech tomorrow in Florence.” Without a deal, he added, there could be no transition agreement to ensure a smooth Brexit.
Mr Barnier insisted that “settling accounts” was the only way to build trust and agree on the future relationship, including a free trade agreement.
“We want to provide the strongest safeguards for the rights of citizens on both sides of the Channel. We are waiting for the United Kingdom to express the same wish,” he said. “Beyond money, this is a question of trust between the 27 and the United Kingdom, based on the respect of one’s signature. And everyone knows that we will need this trust to create a solid relationship in the future.”
Meanwhile, in Ireland, Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament’s Brexit coordinator, called Boris Johnson “oldfashioned” after the Foreign Secretary had attacked young voters who said they still felt an allegiance to the EU.
“It’s nonsense to talk about split allegiance,” said Mr Verhofstadt. “It’s perfectly possible to feel English, British and European at the same time.”