Appeal for EU’s citizens in Britain

FLORENCE, Italy — The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator warned Friday that the bloc will not discuss a future relationship with Britain until all 27 member states are reassured that their citizens living in the United Kingdom will be treated “properly and humanely.”

French negotiator Michel Barnier said such assurances are needed to build trust for a new post-Brexit relationship.

Speaking at a conference on the EU “state of the union” in Florence, Barnier said protecting the rights of EU citizens was a “moral duty” as well as a political necessity. “The European Council has decided that preserving the rights of EU citizens and families will be the priority, will be my priority.”

“It will not discuss our future relationship with the U.K. until 27 member states are reassured that all citizens will be treated properly and humanely.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also stressed the need to protect the interests of EU citizens in the United Kingdom. She said Germany will push to “create clarity and planning security as quickly as possible” for EU residents in Britain, including about 100,000 Germans.

Earlier Friday, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said British expectations in its divorce proceedings from the EU are “not realistic,” sending a clear warning that Britain will not escape having to foot a hefty bill for its momentous decision.

Over a few testy days this week, both sides sparred about the negotiations, which are to start after the British June 8 elections, with some questioning what, if anything, Britain should pay for. Over the past months, the estimates have ranged from $22 billion to $66 billion before the Financial Times upped the figure to as much as $109 billion — a figure that Britain has flatly rejected paying.

The 27 other EU nations have shown a united front in facing Brexit.